Responsiveness of two upper extremity function instruments for stroke inpatients receiving rehabilitation

Abstract

To compare the responsiveness of the Action Research Arm test (ARAT) and the upper extremity section of the Motor Assessment Scale (UE-MAS) in assessing the recovery of upper extremity function in stroke inpatients receiving rehabilitation. Forty-eight stroke inpatients. The physical medicine and rehabilitation department of a medical centre. The patients were tested at admission and at discharge from the department. Various indices, including effect size d, Wilcoxon test and Spearman's rho, were used to assess responsiveness. The change in score of the upper extremity subscale of the Fugl-Meyer scale was used as the external criterion. The responsiveness indices of both total scores of the ARAT and UE-MAS are generally moderate and similar (d = 0.52, Wilcoxon Z = 5.03, p < 0.001 and rho = 0.66 for the ARAT; d = 0.45, Z = 4.54, p < 0.001 and rho = 0.7 for the UE-MAS). Responsiveness indices are small to moderate and similar in each of the subscales of both instruments. The results of this study support the value of the ARAT and UE-MAS for measuring recovery of upper extremity function in stroke patients.