Evaluation of functional capacity after stroke with special emphasis on motor function and activities of daily living

In a multidisciplinary study comprising 280 patients with acute cerebrovascular disease (median age 76, range 30-96 years), instruments for functional assessment in stroke care were developed. The improvements of motor function and activities of daily living were investigated during a period of up to one year after a stroke. A new chart for motor capacity assessment, which includes both the paretic and the non-paretic side, modified after that of Fugl-Meyer et al, was tested for its reliability and validity. At the same time the Activity Index of Hamrin & Wohlin was further tested. The internal consistency reliability measured with the standardized item alpha method confirmed that the two instruments have high homogeneity. Construct validity was investigated by factor analysis and showed a logical structure. The predictive validity of the scores on admission was significant and the two tools had a satisfactory predictive capacity for survival and later functional outcome. The improvements in different motor functions were followed up for up to one year after the stroke among the 183 one-year survivors. In patients with minor impairment, the improvement occurred mostly during the first week. Patients with moderate or moderately severe impairment improved more continuously for up to three months, while the few surviving patients with very severe impairment continued to recover to some extent even after three months. Older patients with severe functional loss seemed to improve more slowly and not as well as younger patients with equivalent impairment. The patterns of instrumental activities of daily living (I-ADL), such as household work, locomotion, psychosocial functions and intellectual activities, were investigated in the 207 three-month survivors and the 183 one-year survivors. At both the three-month and the one-year follow-ups the scores had decreased considerably, compared with before the stroke, for all activities except locomotion, and many patients were dependent on somebody else for help. The same group of patients was also examined by a Standardized Practical Equipment (SPE) test constructed by Tömquist three months and one year after the stroke. The construct validity of the SPE test was estimated through factor analysis. Three factors emerged, one concerning mainly cognitive factors and co-ordination, one concerning hand function and one concerning mainly mobility and balance. The instruments developed in the course of this study have proved to be reliable and valid, and useful in assessing functional losses and following progress. The tools are well suited for any clinical settings and for home care examinations as well as research.