Abstract
Objective:
We aimed to compare the responsiveness, concurrent and predictive validity of the shortened Fugl-Meyer Assessment (S-FMA) and the streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test (S-WMFT) in persons with subacute stroke.
Design:
Test–retest design.
Setting:
Departments of physical medicine and rehabilitation at three hospitals.
Participants:
Participants with first-time stroke (N = 51; 38 men, 13 women; mean age ± SD, 55.1 ± 11.7 years) based on scores of Mini-Mental State Examination and Brunnstrom stage.
Interventions:
Participants received one of three rehabilitation therapies for three weeks and were evaluated at baseline and end of treatment.
Main outcome measures:
Responsiveness was examined using the paired t-test and the standardized response mean (SRM). Criterion validity was investigated using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r).
Results:
Changes from baseline to end of treatment assessed by both tests were significant (P < 0.001). The value for responsiveness of the S-FMA was significantly higher than that of the S-WMFT (SRM difference, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.23–0.63). There were stronger associations between the comparison scales and the S-FMA (r = 0.57–0.68) than with the S-WMFT (r = 0.39–0.58).
Conclusions:
The S-FMA had better concurrent and predictive validity than the S-WMFT and was more sensitive to changes caused by rehabilitation therapies. The S-FMA is recommended for expedited assessment of arm motor function outcome in stroke patients receiving rehabilitative therapy.
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