Relationship between self-reported and objectively measured manual ability varies during the first year post-stroke

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Motor Recovery
• Clinical Outcomes

Background:

• Self-reported outcomes offer valuable insights into perceived manual ability post-stroke.
• Understanding the relationship between objective measures and subjective experience is key for effective rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the temporal relationship between objective kinematic variables and self-reported manual ability in stroke survivors.
• To determine how this relationship evolves during the first year after stroke.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-six individuals from the SALGOT cohort were assessed at five timepoints within the first year post-stroke.
• Utilized the ABILHAND questionnaire for self-reported manual ability and kinematic analysis of a virtual target-to-target pointing task.
• Employed Spearman's correlation to analyze the association between ABILHAND scores and kinematic variables.

Main Results:

• Correlations between self-reported ability and kinematic measures were low early post-stroke, increasing to moderate/high after six months for movement time and smoothness.
• Mean velocity showed low to moderate correlations, while peak velocity maintained low correlations throughout the first year.
• A notable discrepancy exists between perceived and objectively measured arm function, particularly in the acute and subacute phases.

Conclusions:

• The relationship between objective and self-reported upper limb function after stroke is dynamic and time-dependent.
• A combination of self-reported and objective assessments is recommended for comprehensive outcome evaluation, especially during early recovery.
• This integrated approach provides a more complete picture of functional recovery and informs rehabilitation strategies.