Comparison of time requirements, financial accessibility and reliability of tests of fine motoric for patients after vascular cerebral stroke from the ergotherapy standpoint
Abstract
Basis: There are many tests to evaluate fine motor skills for stroke patients. In clinical practice, occupational therapists have to decide which outcome measure is the most suitable for them.
The decision is often based on psychometric properties, cost, and duration of test administration Purpose: Compare fine motor outcome measures in terms of time, cost and test-retest reliability. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for studies that critically evaluates the most common upper extremity tests for patients after stroke from 2013 to 2017.
Results: Action Research Arm Test, Motor Assessment Scale and Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment have the highest test-retest reliability (0,98). The shortest administration time take Box and Block Test (5min) a Nine - Hole Peg Test (10min).
In terms of price, Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory, Fugl - Mayer Assessment, Motor Assessment Scale, Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment and Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement are free. Conclusions: The choice of test depends on many factors, one of them should be the psychometric parameters of the outcome measure.
Usually, at least a time-consuming test is chosen, but it does not evaluate multiple grips or the function of the entire upper limb. In terms of price, it is up to the organization that provides the finance to purchase the test, the cost of it greatly influences the decision to choose a standardized tool.