U-Rate-UE; Measuring Perceived Recovery of the Affected Upper Extremity in Adults Post-stroke

Abstract

Objective: To establish initial validity of "U-Rate-UE", a single-question scale regarding perceived recovery of the stroke affected upper extremity (UE).

Design: A retrospective longitudinal study of data collected at rehabilitation admission, 6 weeks, and 6 months since stroke.

Setting: Stroke rehabilitation and community-based.

Participants: A convenience sample of 87 individuals, median (interquartile range) age 71.5 (65-80) years, 15.0 (12-20) days post-stroke.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main outcome measures: The affected UE was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment, grip strength, Action Research Arm Test, the Box and Block Test (BBT), and The Rating of Everyday Arm-Use in the Community and Home. Participants also rated how much they perceive that their affected UE recovered from the stroke using U-Rate-UE; 0-100 (no to full recovery). Longitudinal changes in U-Rate-UE ratings were assessed. In addition, at 6 weeks and 6 months post-stroke, the change in BBT was calculated and participants were grouped into achieved/did not achieve the minimal detectable change (MDC). Correlations between U-Rate-UE to the other UE assessments were assessed at all 3 timepoints.

Results: Significant changes in U-Rate-UE were seen over time (P<.05). At 6 weeks and 6 months, participants who achieved BBT-MDC rated their recovery significantly higher than participants who did not. U-Rate-UE was moderately-strongly significantly correlated to UE assessments (rho=.61-.85, P<.001).

Conclusions: The U-Rate-UE is supported for use with UE assessments contributing to comprehensive clinical understanding of the recovery of the affected UE in adults post-stroke.

Keywords: Box and Block Test; Function; Patient reported outcome measures; Stroke rehabilitation; Upper extremity.