Abstract: Objective: To construct a clinical instrument to measure functioning of patients following cardiac rehabilitation using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) categories based on a Rasch analysis. Methods: A convenience sampling was used to conduct the questionnaire survey in a cardiac rehabilitation center. Psychometric properties were evaluated in 100 patients with CHD using Rasch analysis, such as unidimensionality, the person-and item-separation reliability and fit of ICF categories by Winsteps. Results: The Rasch refinement led to a 58-item scale. Rasch reliabilities were 0.95 (23-item body function scale), 0.96 (2-item body structures scale), 0.91 (17-item activity and participation), and 0.94 (16-item environmental factors scale). The overall Cronbach's α coefficients were 0.879. The ICF categories for patients following cardiac rehabilitation correlated well with SF-36. Conclusion: The ICF categories for patients following cardiac rehabilitation is a reliable and valid questionnaire based on the ICF checklist. It allows measurement of functioning as a unidimensional construct in patients following cardiac rehabilitation.

Key words: International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; checklist; cardiac rehabilitation; nursing; Rasch analysis