Letter by Stinear and Byblow Regarding Article, “Patient-Reported Measures Provide Unique Insights Into Motor Function After Stroke”

Abstract

To the Editor: We read with interest the recent article by Stewart and Cramer1 that illustrated the importance of measuring motor function, not just impairment and disability, after stroke. These authors report results from 43 people who had experienced stroke between 5 days and 9.4 years before assessment. Global measures of disability (modified Rankin Scale) and impairment (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) were made, as well as measures of impairment specific to the upper limb (Fugl-Meyer [FM] scale and Purdue pegboard test). Patient-reported measures of upper limb function were also made: the difficulty of hand use (hand domain of the Stroke Impact Scale [SIS]) and amount of affected arm use (Motor Activity Log [MAL]). Nearly two-thirds of patients with minimal or no disability or impairment measured with the modified Rankin Scale, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, or FM scale reported difficulty with hand movements or reduced arm use. This is an important reminder that …