A Reaching Performance Scale for 2 Wolf Motor Function Test Items.

OBJECTIVE

To adapt the Reaching Performance Scale for Stroke (RPSS) for the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) "Lift Can" (Can) and "Hand to Box" (Box) items.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of video-recorded WMFT assessment performed by 3 raters on 2 occasions.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants (N=29) with mild to moderate upper extremity impairment less than 3 months after stroke.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Inter- and intra-rater agreement, concurrent validity of WMFT-RPSS.

RESULTS

Mean ± SD inter-rater Gwet's agreement coefficient (AC) was 0.61±0.05 for Can WMFT-RPSS and 0.56 (0.03) for Box. Mean ± SD intra-rater AC for Can was 0.63±0.05 and 0.70±0.04 for Box. WMFT-RPSS Can and Box scores correlated with log mean WMFT time (C, -0.73; B, -0.48), Functional Ability Scale (C, 0.87; B, 0.62), Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Motor Score (C, 0.69; B, 0.51), and item movement rate (C, 0.74; B, 0.71) (P<.05 for all). Mean ± SD WMFT-RPSS score across the 29 participants was 12.7±3.5 for Can (max score, 19) and 11.4±3.0 for Box (max score, 16).

CONCLUSIONS

WMFT-RPSS demonstrated moderate intra-rater and weak-to-moderate inter-rater agreement for individuals with mild-moderate impairment. For construct validity, Can and Box WMFT-RPSS were significantly correlated with 4 standardized measures. Average WMFT-RPSS scores revealed that some participants may have relied on compensatory movements to complete the task, a revelation not discernable from movement rate alone. The WMFT-RPSS is potentially useful as a valid and reliable tool to examine longitudinal changes in movement quality after stroke.