Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
The Impact of Motor Task Conditions on Goal-Directed Arm Reaching Kinematics and Trunk Compensation in Chronic Stroke Survivors
Published on: May 2, 2021
Reliability in the parameterization of the functional reach test in elderly stroke patients: a pilot study
Jose Antonio Merchán-Baeza1, Manuel González-Sánchez1, Antonio Ignacio Cuesta-Vargas2
1Departamento de Psiquiatría y Fisioterapia, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
Background:
Postural instability is one of the major complications found in stroke survivors. Parameterising the functional reach test (FRT) could be useful in clinical practice and basic research.
Objectives:
To analyse the reliability, sensitivity, and specificity in the FRT parameterisation using inertial sensors for recording kinematic variables in patients who have suffered a stroke.
Design:
Cross-sectional study. While performing FRT, two inertial sensors were placed on the patient's back (lumbar and trunk).
Participants:
Five subjects over 65 who suffer from a stroke.
Measurements:
FRT measures, lumbosacral/thoracic maximum angular displacement, maximum time of lumbosacral/thoracic angular displacement, time return initial position, and total time. Speed and acceleration of the movements were calculated indirectly.
Results:
FRT measure is 12.75±2.06 cm. Intrasubject reliability values range from 0.829 (time to return initial position (lumbar sensor)) to 0.891 (lumbosacral maximum angular displacement). Intersubject reliability values range from 0.821 (time to return initial position (lumbar sensor)) to 0.883 (lumbosacral maximum angular displacement). FRT's reliability was 0.987 (0.983-0.992) and 0.983 (0.979-0.989) intersubject and intrasubject, respectively.
Conclusion:
The main conclusion could be that the inertial sensors are a tool with excellent reliability and validity in the parameterization of the FRT in people who have had a stroke.
