Assessment of the hemiparetic upper extremity.

The Functional Test gives an accurate and immediate assessment of upper extremity capabilities for performance of functional activities. It has been used primarily with patients who have a residual hemiparetic upper extremity following a stroke. This seventeen task test is arranged in seven levels and can be administered in approximately thirty minutes. It is completely portable and can be used practically in many different treatment settings. The information obtained will allow therapists to set realistic functional goals and design effective programs for the patient's use of the involved upper extremity. The early research on this instrument implies that this test may be used as an alternative to some of the traditional objective and time consuming test measures that are currently used by occupational therapists.