Article

The motor function section of the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FM
motor scale) is a robust scale of motor ability in people after stroke, with high
predictive validity for outcome. However, the FM motor scale is time-consuming.
The hierarchical properties of the upper extremity (UE) and lower extremity (LE)
sections of the FM motor scale have been established in people with chronic
stroke. These data support the use of a more concise method of administration and
confirm scores can be legitimately summed. The aim of this study was
to establish that a similar hierarchy exists in people within 72 hours after
stroke onset. DESIGN: A prospective, cross-sectional design was used. METHODS:
Data were obtained from 75 eligible people in a nationwide prospective study (the
Early Prediction of Functional Outcome After Stroke). The full version of both
sections of the FM motor scale was administered within 72 hours after stroke
onset. The hierarchy of item difficulty was investigated by applying Guttman
scaling procedures within each stage and each subsection of the UE and LE
sections of the scale. The scaling procedures then were applied to item
difficulty between stages and subsections and finally across all scale items
(stage divisions ignored) of the FM motor scale. RESULTS: For all analyses, the
results exceeded acceptable levels for the coefficient of reproducibility and the
coefficient of scalability. LIMITATIONS: The sample was a population of people
with stroke of moderate severity. CONCLUSIONS: The unidimensional hierarchy of
the UE and LE sections of the FM motor scale (already established for chronic
stroke) within 72 hours after stroke onset was confirmed. A legitimate total
summed score can indicate a person's level of motor ability.
CI - (c) 2014 American Physical Therapy Association.

Langue : ANGLAIS