Validación de “Action Research Arm Test” (ARAT) en Pacientes con Extremidad Superior Parética post Ataque Cerebro Vascular en Chile.

Resumen

VALIDATION OF "ACTION RESEARCH ARM TEST" (ARAT) IN CHILEAN  PATIENTS WITH A PARETIC UPPER LIMB AFTER A STROKE

Background: Stroke is one of the main causes of disability and death in the world. Sixty three percent of stroke survivors require rehabilitation which is a complex functional recovery multidisciplinary task. Aim: To determine the psychometric properties of the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), that is used to assess the functional recovery of a paretic upper limb. Patients and methods: Eighty stroke survivors were assessed at their homes as a baseline and two months later applying ARAT and Motor Activity Log (MAL-30) assessments. In the latter evaluation quality of life was assessed with SIS 3.0 score and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) was applied. Participants received no intervention in the lapse between the two assessments. Results: Cronbach ? values for ARAT were 0.88 and 0.89 at baseline and two months assessments, respectively. Temporary stability had an r value of 0. 93 (p < 0.01). The convergent validity with quality of movement of MAL-30 was r= 0.58 and r=0.51. The figures with quantity of movement were  r=0.55 and r=0.57. The convergent validity with  SIS 3.0 was  r=0.53 for the hand, r=0.57 for participation and r=0.48 for recovery. ARAT scores correlated inversely and significantly with age and pain. There was no discriminant validity between ARAT and emotion, memory, communication and mobility of SIS 3.0, GHQ-30 and the socio-economic level. Conclusions: ARAT is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the functional recovery of paretic upper limbs after a stroke.