Upper limb functional outcome instruments for poststroke patients: a systematic review

Abstract

The purpose of this systematic review was to analyse indexes and scales that assess poststroke patients upper extremity function, as well as their psychometric properties and cross-cultural validation for Brazil. The search through Medline, Lilacs and Scielo databases led to selecting 57 articles on instruments for assessing arms global motor and specific functions, as well as articles on their validation and psychometric properties. Eleven such instruments were found, among which the Fugl-Meyer assessment, the Arm Motor Ability Test, and the Functional Independence Measure have been translated and validated into Brazilian Portuguese, and had their validity and reliability properties established as appropriate. These instruments showed to be complementary for assessing upper extremity function in poststroke patients in as much as they respectively include structural and functional aspects, task performance, self-care and interpersonal relations, being therefore recommended for clinical use.