Longitudinal stability of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the upper extremity

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008 Aug;89(8):1563-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2007.12.041.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the longitudinal stability of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of the upper-extremity item difficulties by using Rasch analysis.

Design: Secondary analysis of existing data from a cohort longitudinal study of stroke recovery.

Setting: University research center.

Participants: A total of 377 people, ages 69.2+/-11.2 years, to whom the assessment was administered at 2 weeks and 6 months poststroke.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main outcome measures: Differential item function analysis performed by using the Winsteps software program examined whether the item difficulty hierarchical order of a modified 30-item FMA for the upper extremity (reflex items removed) was invariant across 2 testing occasions.

Results: Only 2 items (shoulder flexion to 180 degrees, movement with normal speed) showed large differences in test-retest item difficulty calibration. Item instability had no practical consequences on the longitudinal measurement of person ability.

Conclusions: The 30-item assessment shows a longitudinally stable item difficulty order and is valid for measuring volitional arm motor ability over time.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arm / physiopathology*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Movement*
  • Posture
  • Recovery of Function*
  • Rehabilitation / instrumentation*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Shoulder / physiopathology
  • Stroke Rehabilitation*