A method of assessing general (i.e. other than personal care) activities of stroke patients is described: the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), a scale comprising 15 individual activities summed to give an overall score from 0 (low) to 45 (high). Data from 976 patients with acute stroke were analysed to establish the validity and reliability of the index, and to give information on the level of activities seen before stroke, at 6 months and 1 year post-stroke. Factors related to a lower overall score included loss of functional (ADL) ability, more depression, a lower IQ and, at 1 year, being female.