Testing a motor performance series and a kinematic motion analysis as measures of performance in high-functioning stroke patients: Reliability, validity, and responsiveness to therapeutic intervention

Abstract

Objective: To assess measurement properties of motor performance tests when used with high-functioning stroke patients. Design: Test-retest reliability study with an interval of 2 days; responsiveness study with assessment before and after training; validity study assessing the tests' ability to discriminate between the high-functioning stroke patients and healthy subjects. Setting: Referral center for neurorehabilitation. Participants: Twenty-nine high motor-functioning stroke patients and 20 healthy control subjects. Intervention: Two special training sessions per day on 5 consecutive days, plus regular therapy. Outcome Measures: Scores on the motor performance series, a two-dimensional tracking test, and a kinematic task analysis. Results: All tests (except the bimanual test) were able to document performance deficits with these patients and showed a moderately high to high test-retest reliability without systematic trend from test to retest (intraclass correlation coefficients for main variables, .61 to .89). The kinematic task especially demonstrated changes after training (standardized response means for timing variables, .53 to .66). A subset of variables indicated a modifying effect of limb side, age, and gender. Conclusion: All tests (except the bimanual test) can be used for both cross-sectional and follow-up group studies with high-functioning stroke patients. Measurement properties and the lack of comprehensive normative data limit their use with individual patients.