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Updated: Nov 12, 2025
Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke
Published on: January 7, 2019
Reliability and validity of Japanese version of Fugl-Meyer assessment for the lower extremities
Tetsuharu Nakazono1, Kayoko Takahashi2, Yoshikazu Suzuki1
1Department of Rehabilitation, Kitasato University Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.
Background:
Understanding the degree of motor paralysis in stroke patients is important for assessing the severity of functional impairment and predicting functional prognosis. Fugl-MeyerAssessment for the lower extremities (FMA-LE)is a commonly used measure with high reliability and validity, but there is no official translated Japanese version of FMA-LE.
Objectives:
This study aimed to develop Japanese FMA-LE and verify its reliability and validity in patients with acute stroke.
Methods:
The Japanese FMA-LE was developed following a standardized translation process. The reliability and validity were evaluated in 50 stroke patients at an acute care hospital. Validity was examined by determining the correlation between FMA-LEand Brunnstrom Recovery Stage (BRS), as well as Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Intra-raterand inter-raterrelative reliabilities were evaluated by calculating intra-classcorrelation coefficients (ICCs). Absolute reliability was assessed by determining the standard error of the measurement and minimum detectible change (MDC). Systematic error was also assessed.
Results:
FMA-LEtotal score was high correlated with BRS (ρ = 0.73,p < .01) and moderately correlated with SPPB (ρ = 0.69,p < .01). For intra-raterreliability, ICC was 0.98 (p < .01), only fixed systematic error was observed (p < .01), and MDC of the FMA-LEtotal score was 1.24. For inter-raterreliability, ICC was 0.98 (p < .01), no systematic error was observed, and MDC of the FMA-LEtotal score was 3.23.
Conclusions:
The Japanese FMA-LE was reliable, valid, and useful for evaluating lower extremity function of acute stroke patients.
