Assessments of Motor Function Post Stroke

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review assessments of motor function after stroke. Method: Eleven assessments were reviewed for what aspects of motor function are measured; tools needed; evidence for reliability and validity of the assessment and advantages and disadvantages of the assessment. The assessments were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (FMA), the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), the Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMA), the Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment (CMSA), the Motor Club Assessment (MCA), the Motricity Index (MI), the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM), the Frenchay Arm Test (FAT), the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), the Functional Test for the Hemiparetic Upper Extremity (FT), and the Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT). Results: The FMA, MAS, RMA, CMSA, MCA, MI, and STREAM measure motor function in both the upper and lower extremities while the FAT, ARAT, FT, and AMAT are specific to the upper limb only. The majority of the assessments test at ...