Translation And Psychometric Testing Of The Turkish Version Of Fugl-Meyer Assessment

According to the definition of the World Health Organization, stroke is a clinical syndrome that causes rapid focal (or global) cerebral function loss for no apparent reason other than vascular causes, and symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or lead to death.

To effectively manage the post-stroke processes and establish an effective treatment plan, a comprehensive assessment is necessary. One of the most common motor problems following a stroke is hemiplegia, which makes it challenging for the patient to perform activities of daily living and ambulation. Understanding the mechanisms of motor control and motor learning, which are vital components of stroke rehabilitation, necessitates the assessment of motor function. For evaluating motor function in stroke patients, there are numerous outcome measures available. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) stands out when comparison of these assessments in terms of clinical and psychometric values. There is no official FMA version that has been translated into Turkish, even though Fugl-Meyer assessment is used in numerous research in Turkey. The aim of this study is to adapt the Fugl-Meyer assessment to Turkish culture and to test its validity and reliability in acute stroke patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 years
• Hemiparesis or hemiplegia due to ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within the previous 8 - weeks

Exclusion criteria

• Visual or hearing impairment
• Upper or lower extremity amputation
• MMSE score ≤21
• Global aphasia or psychiatric disorder affecting daily life and participation
• Any unstable medical condition affecting participation