Abstract
The consistency of seven measures of paretic upper extremity motor performance was examined in 10 patients who experienced a stroke a mean 6.3 days before entering the study. Motor performance was measured using dynamometers, the Motricity Index, and timed alternating movement. All motor performance measures correlated significantly with one another on the first and fifth assessment days (rs≥0.707). Within day Cronbach’s alphas were high (≥0.9116). The measures were correlated strongly across days. Only the Motricity Index score for shoulder abduction differed significantly between days. The results showed that the measures investigated were consistent within and between days. As they appear to be measuring the same construct, there is little need to employ all if the intent is to characterize motor performance of the paretic upper extremity soon after stroke. A select few measures should be sufficient for such a characterization.
