The Stroke Activity Scale: results of a validity study.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To establish the concurrent validity and time to complete of the Stroke Activity Scale (SAS) a recently developed stroke motor disability scale designed for use in a busy clinical setting. METHOD: Forty-one stroke patients with residual hemiplegia were recruited and assessed on a single occasion using both the SAS (five items) and modified Motor Assessment Scale (MMAS) (eight items) by a research physiotherapist. Performance was videotaped and assessed subsequently by a second physiotherapist. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficient between the two measures was 0.91. The SAS was significantly quicker to complete than the MMAS (2.8 vs. 10.4 min, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The SAS had high concurrent validity with the MMAS but was much quicker to complete and therefore more suitable for use in clinical environments where time is at a premium.