The Edmans ADL index was developed to assess functional abilities in stroke patients, including the activities necessary to enable a person to live independently at home, and graded to enable staff to monitor patient's progress over time. Content validity was established by comparing the Edmans ADL index with other published ADL assessments. Construct validity was established by comparing the Edmans and Barthel ADL indices, for 60 patients admitted consecutively to the Nottingham stroke unit. This showed a strong association between assessments. Inter-rater reliability was assessed by two occupational therapists, who independently and simultaneously assessed 20 patients individually on the stroke unit. This showed 96% excellent/good agreement between observers. Test-retest reliability was established by assessing 20 patients, 1 year post-stroke, on two separate occasions, 1 month apart. Results showed 85% excellent/good agreement over time. We conclude that the Edmans ADL index has content and construct validity, is sensitive to change over time, and has inter-rater and test-retest reliability.