Upper extremity function in hemiplegia. A cross-validation study of two assessment methods.

Abstract

The methods devised by DeSouza et al. and by Fugl-Meyer et al. for description of upper extremity function after stroke were compared by parallel assessments in a consecutive series of 50 patients with hemimotor deficit. Very close positive associations between both methods indicated a high degree of cross-validity. As both methods appear to be externally valid, have good inter-rater reliability and as the time needed for assessing the arm function of a hemiplegic or hemiparetic patient rarely exceeds 10 min, it appears that the two methods possess about equal descriptive power.