Action Research Arm Test as a measure of post-stroke impairment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34024/rnc.2007.v15.8673Keywords:
Evaluation Studies, Paresis, Physical Therapy, Recovery of Function, Cerebrovascular AccidentAbstract
Introduction. The Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) was conceived to evaluate the upper extremity function;
nevertheless its use to assess impairments has been suggested, much like the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UE-FMA). Objective. To verify the use of ARAT to assess motor impairments in stroke patients. Methods. Cross-sectional study correlation to evaluate 28 hemiparetic stroke patients from the Clinical Hospital of Campinas – SP, with mean lesional period of 58,86 months and mean age of 49,46 years using ARAT and UE-FMA. Results. Spearman analysis of data showed strong correlation between ARAT and sensorial and motor items of UE-FMA (r = 0.85), as well as ARAT and motor items of UE-FMA (r = 0.88), reaching a significance level (p < 0.001). Additionally, the item-peritem analysis showed strong correlation between ARAT and UE-FMA scales. Conclusion. These results suggested the use of ARAT to measure motor impaiments in stroke hemiparetic subjects.
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