Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Index [NEADL]

Description

The Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Index (NEADL) is a questionnaire designed to assess the extent to which an individual can independently perform extended activities of daily living. It enables healthcare professionals and therapists to evaluate functional independence beyond basic self-care activities.

The scale was developed by Nouri and Lincoln (1987) and has been used in the assessment of adults and older people whose neurological or other health conditions may affect everyday functioning and independence.

Aim

The main aim of the NEADL is to evaluate functional ability and independence in everyday life, particularly in activities that require a higher level of mobility, organization, self-management, and social participation.

Its use can help identify areas in which individuals experience functional limitations, monitor changes in independence over time, and support the evaluation of rehabilitation or therapeutic interventions.

Structure

The NEADL consists of 22 questions, which are divided into four main areas of functioning:

Mobility,
household activities,
self-care, and
social activities.

This multidimensional structure provides a broader assessment of daily functioning, as it extends beyond basic activities of self-care and also considers the individual’s ability to participate independently in domestic and social life.

Target Population

The instrument is primarily intended for use with adults and older people.

According to the source material, it is particularly relevant to people with neurological conditions or injuries, including stroke and traumatic brain injury, as well as other conditions affecting the nervous system and functional independence.

Applications

The NEADL can be used in clinical practice, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and research focused on functional status.

It can support the assessment of how illness or injury affects everyday activities, help identify areas in which additional assistance may be required, and facilitate the monitoring of changes in functional independence during rehabilitation.

Conclusions

The Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Index (NEADL) is a concise and practical instrument for assessing independence in extended activities of daily living. By covering mobility, household functioning, self-care, and social participation, it provides a broader picture of an individual’s ability to function independently in everyday life.

Its use can contribute to clinical assessment, rehabilitation planning, and the monitoring of functional outcomes over time.

References

Nouri, F. M., & Lincoln, N. B. (1987). An extended activities of daily living scale for stroke patients. Clinical Rehabilitation.

The source file also identifies a Dutch version by van Wegen EEH (2005).