Article

The construct validity and reliability of the short form of the Wolf
Motor Function Test (S-WMFT) in people with subacute stroke and chronic stroke
(S-WMFT subacute stroke and chronic stroke versions) have not been investigated.
Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensionality, item
difficulty hierarchy, differential item functioning (DIF), and reliability of the
S-WMFT subacute stroke and chronic stroke versions in people with mild to
moderate upper-extremity (UE) dysfunction. Design This was a secondary study in
which data collected from randomized controlled trials were used. METHODS: /b>
Data were collected at baseline from 97 people with chronic stroke (>12 months
after stroke) and 75 people with subacute stroke (3-9 months after stroke) at 3
medical centers in Taiwan. Test structure, hierarchical properties, DIF, and
reliability were assessed with Rasch analysis. RESULTS: /b> The test structure
for both versions was unidimensional. No DIF relevant to sex, age, or stroke
location (hemispheric laterality) was detected. The tasks of moving a hand to a
box and moving a hand to a table in the S-WMFT for subacute stroke showed a
significantly high correlation. The reliability coefficients for both versions
were approximately .90. Limitations The findings were limited to people with
stroke and mild to moderate impairment of UE function. CONCLUSIONS: /b> The
S-WMFT subacute stroke and chronic stroke versions are useful tools for assessing
UE function in different subgroups of people with stroke and show evidence of
construct validity and reliability. A high correlation between the tasks of
moving a hand to a box and moving a hand to a table in the S-WMFT for subacute
stroke suggests that the removal of 1 of these 2 items is warranted.

Langue : ANGLAIS