Test-retest reliability of physiotherapists using the action research arm test in chronic stroke

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine whether physiotherapists (PT) scores are consistent over time when using Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) to assess upper limb (UL) function on a videotaped chronic stroke patient. [Participants and Methods] Quantitative correlational study. A convenience-snowball sample of 20 international PT (mean age and experience=32 ± 6.8 and 7.55 ± 7.4 years) used ARAT to score chronic stroke patient's UL function, observing a video at baseline and again ≈ 2 weeks later. Two sets of non-parametric ordinal data were assessed with Spearman's (rho) and the alpha (a) value was set at 0.01. Line of equality, Bland-Altman plots and Wilcoxon signed rank test were also considered. [Results] Spearman's rho was found ≈ 0.78 at a significance level of 0.00. ARAT was scored with a mean difference of 16.6 days and a mean change of 0.6 points was observed. Limits of agreement and coefficient of reproducibility were ± 2.3 and ± 2.6 respectively. The patient's arm impairment was categorised as moderate and floor or ceiling effects were not detected. [Conclusion] The results suggest that ARAT is consistent, valid and should be used by PT in chronic stroke.