Cutoff Score of the Lower-Extremity Motor Subscale of Fugl-Meyer Assessment in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To derive an optimal cutoff score for the lower-extremity motor subscale of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) to differentiate stroke survivors with high mobility function from those with low mobility function using a data-driven approach.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University-based clinical research laboratory.

Participants: Chronic stroke survivors (N=80) recruited from local self-help groups.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main outcome measures: Lower-extremity motor subscale of Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-LE), Berg Balance Scale, 5 times sit-to-stand test, comfortable walking speed, 6-minute walk test, and timed Up and Go test.

Results: K-mean clustering analysis classified 42 stroke survivors in the high mobility function group. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that FMA-LE can differentiate stroke survivors based on their mobility level (area under the curve, 0.85). An FMA-LE score of 21 of 34 was the best cutoff score (sensitivity, 0.87; specificity: 0.81).

Conclusions: An FMA-LE score of 21 or higher could indicate a high level of mobility function in chronic stroke survivors.

Keywords: Cluster analysis; Rehabilitation; Stroke.