Two common tests of dexterity can stratify upper limb motor function after stroke.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Motor Function Assessment

Background:

• Stroke-related neurological deficits are typically classified by motor function for rehabilitation and discharge planning.
• Stratifying stroke patients by motor function is crucial in clinical studies to prevent sampling bias.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate upper limb functional assessment tools for stratifying stroke survivors' motor function.
• To test if two simple manual dexterity tests can stratify motor function in a heterogeneous stroke population.

Main Methods:

• Assessed upper limb function in 67 hemiparetic stroke patients using the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (F-M), Box and Block Test (BBT), grooved pegboard test, and wrist range of motion.
• Employed hypothesis-driven hierarchical cluster analysis with standardized scores and dichotomous test values to validate the stratification scheme.

Main Results:

• The Box and Block Test (BBT) ability to move more than one block was the primary differentiator between low and higher motor function.
• Within the higher function group, the grooved pegboard test distinguished moderate from high motor function.
• WMFT, F-M scores, and wrist range of motion did not effectively discriminate functional groups.

Conclusions:

• Two objective manual dexterity tests, the BBT for gross motor skills and the grooved pegboard test for fine motor skills, successfully stratified motor function in a diverse group of stroke survivors.
• This simple stratification method aligns with clinical observations and aids in categorizing post-stroke motor abilities.