Minimal important change (MIC) for the Clinical Functioning Information Tool (ClinFIT) in inpatient rehabilitation

To estimate the Minimal Important Change (MIC) for the Clinical Functioning Information Tool (ClinFIT) in inpatient rehabilitation. Admission and discharge ClinFIT scores were analyzed in a Royal Melbourne Hospital inpatient rehabilitation cohort. Anchors were the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), EQ-5D-5L index, and EQ visual analog scale (EQ-VAS). Anchor-based analyses included receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, within-patient mean change, and between-group contrasts. Distribution-based reference values were calculated as 0.2 and 0.5 times the baseline ClinFIT SD and 0.2 times the change-score SD. Among 257 patients, mean age was 63.0 years and 54.5% were male. ClinFIT scores improved from 167.0 (SD 59.2) at admission to 97.7 (SD 57.8) at discharge. ClinFIT change correlated most strongly with EQ-5D-5L index change (ρ = −0.68), compared with FIM (ρ = −0.31) and EQ-VAS (ρ = −0.32). ROC-derived thresholds ranged from −77 to −43 points, between-group differences from −76 to −20 points, and distribution-based reference values from −29.7 to −10.3 points. An exploratory range of approximately 50–70 points was proposed based primarily on the ROC-derived thresholds. The EQ-5D-5L-supported ClinFIT MIC threshold indicated a reduction of approximately 57 points, with a wide confidence interval. ROC-derived thresholds informed an exploratory 50–70-point range. ClinFIT offers a standardized ICF-based approach to assessing functioning across body functions, activities, and participation in inpatient rehabilitation.A reduction of approximately 50 to 70 points in the ClinFIT total score appears to reflect clinically meaningful improvement during inpatient rehabilitation.These MIC estimates can help clinicians interpret change over time, distinguish meaningful recovery from minor score fluctuation, and support goal setting and outcome monitoring.Establishing interpretable ClinFIT thresholds may support wider implementation of the tool in routine rehabilitation practice and future international benchmarking initiatives. ClinFIT offers a standardized ICF-based approach to assessing functioning across body functions, activities, and participation in inpatient rehabilitation. A reduction of approximately 50 to 70 points in the ClinFIT total score appears to reflect clinically meaningful improvement during inpatient rehabilitation. These MIC estimates can help clinicians interpret change over time, distinguish meaningful recovery from minor score fluctuation, and support goal setting and outcome monitoring. Establishing interpretable ClinFIT thresholds may support wider implementation of the tool in routine rehabilitation practice and future international benchmarking initiatives.