Psychometric properties of the lower extremity subscale of the Fugl-Myer assessment for community-dwelling hemiplegic stroke patients

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the lower extremity subscale of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment lower extremity (FMA-LE) for community-dwelling hemiplegic stroke patients. Subjects: The participants were 140 community-dwelling hemiplegic stroke patients. Methods: To determine the psychometric properties of the FMA-LE, we examined construct validity, response characteristics, item discrimination, and internal consistency. Results: Factor analysis of the FMA-LE revealed that the first factor explained 61.73% of the variance and provided evidence of unidimensionality. The FMA-LE did not show ceiling or floor effects; Cronbach’s α was 0.935 (95% CI: 0.919–0.950). Conclusion: Because the FMA-LE seems to be both valid and reliable, we conclude that it is appropriate for the measurement of the lower extremity motor impairment of community-dwelling hemiplegic stroke patients.