Reliability of the Brazilian version of the Wolf Motor Function Test in adults with hemiparesis.

BACKGROUND

The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) evaluates the upper limb (UL) performance of adults with hemiparesis by combining time and quality of movement measures in both isolated movements and functional tasks.

OBJECTIVES

To translate and adapt the WMFT form, functional ability scale (FAS) and manual to Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate the intra and inter-rater reliabilities.

METHODS

Fifteen individuals with a mean age of 57.9±11.1 years and a mean time since stroke onset of 68.5±53.5 months participated. The WMFT was administered by one physiotherapist based on information in the manual, and video observations were assessed by two other independent physical therapists. Information regarding compensatory movements was included in the FAS. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots were calculated to examine the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities for performance time and FAS, whereas weighted kappa (Kp) was used to examine the agreement strength for FAS.

RESULTS

The inter-rater ICC values for performance time were above 0.75 in 13 of the 15 tasks. For the FAS, they ranged from 0.87-0.99 for all evaluated tasks, with Kp values ranging from 0.63-0.92. For intra-rater reliability, the ICC ranged from 0.99-1.0 and from 0.96-1.0 for time measurement and FAS, respectively. Kp values ranged from 0.79-0.96 for individual and 0.93 for total scores.

CONCLUSION

The Brazilian version of the WMFT showed adequate intra- and inter-rater reliabilities for evaluating the paretic UL of individuals with stroke.