• KARM
  • Contact us
  • E-Submission
ABOUT
ARTICLE TYPES
BROWSE ARTICLES
AUTHOR INFORMATION

Articles

Original Article

The Korean Version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment: Reliability and Validity Evaluation

Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine 2021;45(2):83-98.
Published online: April 14, 2021

1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul, Korea

2Department of Clinical Rehabilitation Research, Korea National Rehabilitation Research Institute, Seoul, Korea

Corresponding author: Joon-Ho Shin Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, 58 Samgaksan-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul 01022, Korea. Tel: +82-2-901-1884, Fax: +82-2-901-1590, E-mail: asfreelyas@gmail.com
• Received: October 6, 2020   • Revised: November 2, 2020   • Accepted: November 4, 2020

Copyright © 2021 by Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

  • 10,892 Views
  • 392 Download
  • 18 Web of Science
  • 24 Crossref
  • 20 Scopus
prev
  • Objective
    To systematically translate the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) into a Korean version of the FMA (K-FMA).
  • Methods
    We translated the original FMA into the Korean version with three translators and a translation committee, which included physiatrists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. Based on a test-retest method, each of 31 patients with stroke was assessed by two evaluators twice, once on recruitment, and again after a week. Analysis of intra- and inter-rater reliabilities was performed using the intra-class correlation coefficient, whereas validity was analysed using Pearson correlation test along with the Motricity Index (MI), Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS).
  • Results
    The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were significant for the total score, and good to excellent reliability was noted in all domains except for the joint range of motion of the lower extremity domain of the K-FMA. The MI and MAS scores were significantly correlated with all domains, all with p<0.01. The results for the MI ranged from r=0.639 to r=0.891 and those for the MAS from r=0.339 to r=0.555. However, the BBS was not significantly correlated with any domain, as the K-FMA lacks balance evaluation items.
  • Conclusion
    The K-FMA was found to have high reliability and validity. Additionally, the newly developed manual for the K-FMA may help minimise errors that can occur during evaluation and improve the reliability of motor function evaluation.
Stroke survivors commonly experience long-term impairments, including motor impairment, activity limitation, and decreased participation in social life [1]. Motor recovery after stroke is closely related to the direction of the patient’s rehabilitation and also to the prognosis, return to society, and life expectancy [2,3]. Accordingly, accurate evaluation of post-stroke recovery cannot be overstated for stroke rehabilitation. Currently, many clinical assessment tools are used to evaluate functional ability and motor function [4].
The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) is a tool proposed by Fugl-Meyer to evaluate sensorimotor impairment in patients with stroke based on the Brunnstrom recovery stages, which is a classification of motor function recovery in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia [5]. Currently, the FMA is one of the most widely used tools for quantitative measurements of motor impairment after stroke [6]. Additionally, it has been robustly used for planning and estimating improvement during or after treatment [7]. The FMA has been reported to have excellent interand intra-rater reliabilities, signifying that its use as a reproducible and consistent measurement tool for stroke has been proven [8-11]. The FMA has also been validated as a tool for patients with stroke and has good correlation with the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), Functional Independence Measure, Barthel Index, and Action Research Arm Test, which are used for evaluation of patients with stroke [12-17].
However, several studies have suggested that the FMA can be interpreted in various ways because the original text is long and complex, and therefore, there may be differences in the evaluation results depending on interpretation [10,11,18]. Consequently, the reliability of the FMA application might be questionable if it is not evaluated using the exact same standard. This issue becomes more important when the FMA is used in countries that use languages other than English, since confusion may arise with each clinician translating it into their native language. Therefore, multiple studies have translated the FMA into other languages, including Japanese, Spanish, Danish, and Brazilian, followed by verification of validity and reliability [4,7,19,20]. However, the FMA has not been systematically translated into Korean. Although we have found a few Korean versions of the FMA (K-FMA), these have not met international translation guideline standards, and there are difficulties in standardisation because of translation errors, lack of agreement on the meanings of terms, and inaccuracies in conveying meanings and in accounting for cultural differences. In the process of registering a K-FMA as a new medical technology with the Health Insurance Review and Assessment service, the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (KARM) encountered obstacles in the lack of authorised evaluation tools and lack of approval from the original author. We decided to address these problems to produce the official Korean version with the consent of KARM. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically translate the FMA into Korean according to international translation guidelines and to verify the reliability and validity of the final instrument.
Translation procedure
Permission for translating the FMA to the Korean language from the original form of the FMA was obtained from the University of Gothenburg, which possesses the copyright of the FMA. Forward and reverse translations were performed by experienced translators, and evaluation, revision, and cognitive debriefing of the translated product were conducted by a translation committee comprising eight experts including physiatrists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. Forward translation was performed separately by two translators fluent in both English and Korean after receiving an explanation regarding the questionnaires of the FMA. The translation committee then created K-FMA version 1.0 with the aim of resolving any inconsistencies between the two versions.
Another bilingual translator who was fluent in both English and Korean conducted reverse translation of K-FMA version 1.0 into English [21]. The translation committee compared the forward and reverse translations to examine whether K-FMA version 1.0 and the original version of the FMA were consistent. In consistencies were resolved by the translation committee, and K-FMA version 2.0 was created. Cognitive debriefing was performed on K-FMA version 2.0 to identify other conceptual issues that could cause confusion, and the final version of the K-FMA was established by resolving these issues (Appendix 1).
Throughout the translation process, medical terms were selected from Medical Terminology, which was published by the Korean Medical Association and the KARM. In addition, external advisers from the KARM also consulted on version 1.0 and version 2.0.
Participants
A total of 34 stroke survivors who were admitted to a rehabilitation hospital were recruited between November 2019 and April 2020. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) first diagnosis of haemorrhagic or ischaemic stroke, (2) age of >19 years, (3) Brunnstrom stage of upper or lower extremity from 2 to 4, and (4) sufficient cognitive function to allow understanding and following the instruction of the researcher. Participants with history of psychiatric or neurological diagnosis, severe aphasia, decreased level of consciousness, disorders affecting movement other than stroke such as motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s disease, polyneuropathy, or mononeuropathy; and uncontrolled comorbidities such as cancer and severe organ failure were excluded. Among the 34 participants who were recruited, three were transferred to other hospitals for further treatment during the course of the study; thus, the data of 31 participants were finally analysed in this study to verify the reliability and validity of the K-FMA. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the National Rehabilitation Center (NRC-2019-03-017), and all participants provided written informed consent prior to enrolment.
Reliability and validity
A prospective evaluation was conducted to verify the intra-rater reliability, inter-rater reliability, and concurrent validity of the final version of the K-FMA. According to a test-retest method for the analysis of reliability, two experienced physical therapists, evaluator 1 and evaluator 2, measured all participants with the K-FMA, and repeated the measurement after 1 week. The two evaluators performed evaluations on the same day. For intra-rater reliability, the first and second assessments of each evaluator were compared, and for inter-rater reliability, the first K-FMA results of each evaluator were compared. For robust comparisons, the second K-FMA results of each evaluator were also compared. Concurrent validity analysis was carried out using Pearson correlation test of the mean value of K-FMA and other evaluation tools for patients with stroke in clinical areas, the Motricity Index (MI), MAS, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS).
Assessments
The original FMA consists of four domains: motor, sensory, joint range of motion (ROM), and joint pain [5]. Each evaluation item is graded on a 3-point ordinal scale from 0 to 2, with a higher score representing less impairment [5]. In the motor function domain, the upper extremity (UE) motor function evaluation consists of 33 items with scores ranging from 0 to 66, and the lower extremity (LE) motor function evaluation consists of 17 items with scores ranging from 0 to 34. The domain of sensory function includes four items evaluating the light touch sensation of the UE and LE and eight items assessing the proprioception of the UE and LE. The sensory function score ranges from 0 to 24. The domains of joint ROM and joint pain are composed of 12 items for UE and 10 items for LE, and the scores range from 0 to 44 in both domains.
The MI is an index used to measure limb strength, consisting of three items each in the UE (pinch grip, elbow flexion, and shoulder abduction) and LE (ankle dorsiflexion, knee extension, and hip flexion) [22]. Scores in the MI are calculated based on the sum of the scores of the three items in the UE and LE each, and range from 0 (complete paresis) to 100 (normal strength) [22].
The MAS is an assessment tool for evaluating the functional capabilities of patients with stroke, which consists of eight motor items: supine to side lying onto intact side, supine to sitting over the side of the bed, balanced sitting, sitting to standing, walking, upper arm function, hand movement, and advanced hand activities [12]. Each motor item is rated on a 7-point scale, ranging from 0 to 6, with higher scores representing lesser impairment. The total MAS score ranges from 0 to 48 [12].
The BBS is a quantitative evaluation tool consisting of 14 items measuring static and dynamic balance while sitting, standing, or shifting weight [23,24]. Each item is graded on a 5-point scale from 0 to 4, and 4 points represent independent completion of the item. The total score is a sum of the scores obtained for each item, out of an overall score of 56 [23].
Statistical analysis
The intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability of the K-FMA were evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with values between 0.74 and 1.0 representing excellent reliability, between 0.60 and 0.74, good reliability; between 0.40 and 0.59, fair reliability; and below 0.4, poor reliability [25]. The concurrent validity of the K-FMA was tested using Pearson’s correlation test and compared with the MI, MAS, and BBS scores. A correlation between the K-FMA and other evaluation tools with a correlation coefficient of 0.7 or higher was regarded as highly positive [26]. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.0 for Windows (IBM SPSS, Armonk, NY, USA).
Demographic characteristics and results of other evaluation tools
Subjects’ baseline characteristics including sex, age, and duration after stroke onset were collected. The demographic characteristics and results of other evaluation tools of the participants are presented in Table 1.
Intra-rater reliability
The intra-rater reliabilities are show in Table 2. All domains had ICC >0.74, except passive ROM, in which variation was found for the LE, and joint pain. All domains were statistically significant at p<0.05. According to the results of intra-rater reliability of evaluator 1, the total motor score recorded the highest ICC (0.961), and the passive ROM of the LE showed the lowest ICC (0.596). Similarly, as per the intra-rater reliability results of evaluator 2, the motor function of the UE had the highest ICC (0.977) and the passive ROM of the LE had the lowest ICC (0.512).
Inter-rater reliability
The inter-rater reliability results between evaluators 1 and 2 are provided in Table 3. The assessment was divided into two parts: part 1 was the first-test comparison and part 2 was the retest comparison. The analysis found all ICCs >0.74, except the passive ROM for LE and joint pain for the UE, and all these results were statistically significant at p<0.05. Tactile sensitivity for the UE had one of the highest ICCs (0.995) in both parts 1 and 2. Joint pain for the LE had the highest ICCs in both parts 1 and 2 (0.851 and 0.997, respectively). The LE passive ROM had the lowest ICC in both parts 1 and 2 (0.782 and 0.498, respectively).
Concurrent validity
Results of the concurrent validity analysis of the K-FMA with MI, MAS, and BBS with Pearson correlation coefficient are provided in Table 4.
The total score (sum of all four domains) was significantly correlated with the MI, which had the highest correlation of all evaluation tools examined (r=0.788). It was also significantly correlated with the MAS, with a comparatively lower correlation coefficient (r=0.496). The total K-FMA score was not significantly correlated with the BBS score (p=0.22), unlike the other tools. The total K-FMA scores for the UE and LE showed similar results. The total score for the motor domain (sum of the UE and LE motor scores) was also significantly correlated with the MI, which had the highest correlation coefficient (r=0.891) among all evaluation tools. The total score for the K-FMA motor domain was also significantly correlated with the MAS score (r=0.613). The motor-domain subscores for the UE and LE showed similar significant correlations. None of the K-FMA motor domains showed significant correlations with the BBS score (p=0.22), similar to the K-FMA total score.
Intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability
The total score and all domains of the K-FMA showed significant intra- and inter-rater reliabilities, with good to excellent reliability in most domains of the K-FMA except joint ROM for LE. In the intra-rater reliability analysis, the sum of the motor functions of the UE and LE in evaluations by evaluator 1 and the motor function of UE in the evaluation by evaluator 2 showed the highest degree of reliability, whereas passive ROM of the LE had the lowest reliability in the evaluations of both evaluators. Regarding inter-rater reliability, the tactile sensitivity of the UE and joint pain of the LE represented the highest reliability, while the passive ROM of the LE had the lowest reliability in both test and retest.
Similar to previous findings, the motor domains of the K-FMA (total motor, UE motor, and LE motor scores) showed excellent reproducibility in intra- and inter-rater reliabilities [7-10]. The motor domain of the FMA is often used alone for evaluating motor function because of its superiority and consideration of the time required [6].
The sensory domain of the K-FMA showed excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reproducibility, and the joint pain domain showed good to excellent reliability, although these two domains rely on the subjective appeal of the participants, which can result in loss of objectivity [6].
Conversely, the ICC for the domain of joint ROM for LE was low in both the intra-rater and inter-rater analyses. Since the intra-rater reliability was low, the inter-rater reliability was also low. The result of the intra-rater reliability analysis might be influenced by inconstant spasticity and change in the ROM after interventions. In particular, changes in ROM according to the pre- and post-physical therapy status might significantly impact the test results, although there were no changes in other functions. Additionally, there was no unified training programme on standardisation of the evaluation of LE joint ROM for evaluators before this study began. In a previous study on the Brazilian version of the FMA, the ICC value of the domain for joint ROM for LE improved significantly from 0.50 (p>0.05) to 0.90 (p<0.001) in the inter-rater reliability analysis after the evaluators adapted to the improved and detailed manual attached with illustrating photographs [7]. After the adaptation of the standardised manual, the reliability of the sensory function domain was also enhanced. Another study reported excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities of the FMA with a standardised manual and rater training programme [10]. A study suggested the use of a standardised manual for FMA providing detailed instructions on the test process, grading, patient guidelines, and equipment [11]. Hence, we also translated the original manual for the FMA into Korean with standardisation of the measurement instructions to increase the reliability of the K-FMA. Similar to the process for the translation of the FMA, with consent from the original author for usage of the original manual, the manual for the K-FMA was prepared through forward translation, revision, reverse translation, and cognitive debriefing. Images of postures for evaluation were created and added to the manual (Appendix 2). We expect this manual to be widely used to improve the reliability of the K-FMA.
Validity
The MI and MAS scores were statistically significantly correlated with the K-FMA score when analysed with Pearson correlation test, while the BBS score was not. This result was expected, considering that the MI and MAS are evaluation tools for motor function. Specifically, the MI showed a highly positive correlation with the K-FMA score, but the MAS showed a moderately positive correlation, probably because there were no evaluation items for the trunk muscles or balance in the K-FMA, unlike in the MAS, which has items to evaluate the trunk muscles and balance, such as supine to sitting over the side of the bed or balanced sitting, whereas the MI consists of items for evaluating muscles of the extremities. Moreover, the FMA and MI both evaluate patient impairment, unlike the MAS, which evaluates activities such as gait and movements of the extremities. Similar to the modified Rivermead Mobility Index, the FMA also showed a statistically significant correlation with the tools evaluating activities such as the Modified Barthel Index [27,28]. Accordingly, the FMA is considered useful for evaluating both motor function and the mobility of patients with stroke.
Although the BBS, which is a widely used evaluation tool for measuring balance, was previously reported to have moderate to good correlation with the motor function of the FMA, the results of our study showed no statistically significant correlation between the K-FMA and BBS [29]. In another study, the FMA did not show a statistically significant correlation with the evaluation tool regarding balance ability, including static balance, dynamic balance, and weight distribution asymmetry indices, which was consistent with the results of our study [30]. It is considered that classifying the FMA and BBS together as similar types of assessment tools for motor function would be difficult, since the K-FMA mainly focuses on motor and sensory function evaluation and does not include balance evaluation items. The FMA is especially valuable for evaluating recovery of motor impairment after stroke, but other domains are considered inadequate, as they do not correspond to the intended aim of the FMA [6].
There are some limitations to this study. First, it was difficult to generalise the results of this study because only participants with Brunnstrom stages 2–4 were recruited, whereas those with Brunnstrom stages 1, 5, and 6 were not. However, considering that patients in Brunnstrom stages 2–4 have the greatest variability, which affects the reliability and complicates the evaluation, the high reliability in our study implies that the K-FMA can be used in the clinical field. Second, raters were not trained to use a standardised manual for the K-FMA and evaluated patients based on their own standards, which could have adversely affected the objectivity of the evaluation. Improvement of reliability would be expected with the application of a standardised manual for the K-FMA, as in previous studies [7,10]. Nevertheless, the K-FMA was verified as an evaluation tool with high reliability and validity for patients with stroke and can be used effectively in the domestic rehabilitation field. We also produced a manual of K-FMA containing a training video and graphic illustration in each evaluation process as a standardised measurement method. Additional studies are being conducted on the effectiveness of training using this manual, and the manual is expected to play a vital role as a standardised training guideline.
In conclusion, the FMA and the manual for the FMA were translated into Korean through standardised translation and several verification processes, and this newly translated K-FMA was verified as a tool for sensorimotor evaluation in patients with stroke with a high level of reliability and validity.
The K-FMA is expected to be used as a standardised tool to replace the original FMA in Korea with high reliability and validity. Additionally, the newly developed manual for the K-FMA is anticipated to minimise errors that can occur in the evaluation and help improve the reliability of motor function evaluation in patients with stroke.

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

This research was supported by the Korean National Rehabilitation Research Institute grant (No. 19-C-02 and 20-C-01).

Conceptualization: Shin JH. Methodology: Shin JH. Formal analysis: Hwang SH, Lee WJ, Kim EH, Hwang JW, Cho IY, and Lee JA. Project administration: Shin JH. Visualisation: Kim EH, Hwang JW, Cho IY, and Lee JA. Writing–original draft: Kim TL, Park JH, and Shin JH. Writing–review and editing: Kim TL, Park JH, and Shin JH. Approval of final manuscript: all authors.

Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the participants (n=31)
Characteristic Value
Sex
 Male 18 (58.1)
 Female 13 (41.9)
Time after stroke onset (mo) 11.2±7.9
Age (yr) 53.6±16.1
Height (cm) 165.8±8.5
Weight (kg) 65.4±12.3
Hemiplegic side 31
 Right hemiplegia 11
 Left hemiplegia 17
 Quadriplegia 3
Motricity Index 40.2±17.9
Motor Assessment Scale 23.6±10.9
Berg Balance Scale 35.2±13.6

Values are presented as number (%) or mean±standard deviation.

Table 2.
Intra-rater reliability of the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (n=31)
Test Evaluator 1
Evaluator 2
Test Retest p-value ICC Test Retest p-value ICC
K-FMA total score 139.19±19.23 138.23±20.07 <0.001 0.938** 138.81±20.80 140.94±19.78 <0.001 0.944**
K-FMA UE motor score 23.52±11.64 22.84±12.91 <0.001 0.959** 23.55±12.32 24.13±11.97 <0.001 0.977**
K-FMA LE motor score 20.13±6.09 19.03±6.04 <0.001 0.912** 19.26±6.52 19.74±6.11 <0.001 0.802**
K-FMA total motor score 43.65±15.65 41.87±16.81 <0.001 0.961** 42.81±16.69 43.87±16.37 <0.001 0.946**
Tactile sensitivity for UE 6.45±5.02 6.32±5.15 <0.001 0.935** 6.35±5.03 6.48±5.08 <0.001 0.940**
Tactile sensitivity for LE 8.32±3.60 8.61±3.51 <0.001 0.927** 8.29±3.63 8.65±3.65 <0.001 0.939**
Passive ROM for UE 21.84±2.19 22.03±2.18 <0.001 0.866** 22.03±1.89 22.23±2.03 <0.001 0.961**
Passive ROM for LE 18.52±1.18 18.87±1.36 0.007 0.596** 18.71±1.22 18.42±2.35 0.028 0.512*
Joint pain for UE 21.06±2.94 21.06±3.84 <0.001 0.721** 21.19±2.93 21.81±2.74 <0.001 0.887**
Joint pain for LE 19.35±1.23 19.45±1.77 0.002 0.677** 19.42±1.03 19.48±1.71 <0.001 0.780**

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

ICC, intra-class correlation coefficient; K-FMA, the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment; UE, upper extremity; LE, lower extremity; ROM, range of motion.

*p<0.05,

**p<0.01.

Table 3.
Inter-rater reliability of the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (n=31)
Test Part 1
Part 2
Evaluator 1 Evaluator 2 p-value ICC Evaluator 1 Evaluator 2 p-value ICC
K-FMA total score 139.19±19.23 138.81±20.80 <0.001 0.974** 138.23±20.07 140.94±19.78 <0.001 0.967**
K-FMA UE motor score 23.52±11.64 23.55±12.32 <0.001 0.980** 22.84±12.91 24.13±11.97 <0.001 0.983**
K-FMA LE motor score 20.13±6.09 19.26±6.52 <0.001 0.880** 19.03±6.04 19.74±6.11 <0.001 0.949**
K-FMA total motor score 43.65±15.65 42.81±16.69 <0.001 0.966** 41.87±16.81 43.87±16.37 <0.001 0.984**
Tactile sensitivity for UE 6.45±5.02 6.35±5.03 <0.001 0.995** 6.32±5.15 6.48±5.08 <0.001 0.995**
Tactile sensitivity for LE 8.32±3.60 8.29±3.63 <0.001 0.993** 8.61±3.51 8.65±3.65 <0.001 0.993**
Passive ROM for UE 21.84±2.19 22.03±1.89 <0.001 0.902** 22.03±2.18 22.23±2.03 <0.001 0.975**
Passive ROM for LE 18.52±1.18 18.71±1.22 <0.001 0.782** 18.87±1.36 18.42±2.35 0.032 0.498*
Joint pain for UE 21.06±2.94 21.19±2.93 <0.001 0.971** 21.06±3.84 21.81±2.74 <0.001 0.727**
Joint pain for LE 19.35±1.23 19.42±1.03 <0.001 0.851** 19.45±1.77 19.48±1.71 <0.001 0.997**

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

ICC, intra-class correlation coefficient; K-FMA, the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment; UE, upper extremity; LE, lower extremity; ROM, range of motion.

*p<0.05,

**p<0.01.

Table 4.
Pearson correlation test of the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment comparing with Motricity Index, Motor Assessment Scale, and Berg Balance Scale (n=31)
K-FMA Motricity Index Motor Assessment Scale Berg Balance Scale
K-FMA total 0.788** 0.496** 0.233
K-FMA UE total 0.639** 0.446* 0.126
K-FMA LE total 0.754** 0.399* 0.334
K-FMA motor 0.891** 0.613** 0.223
K-FMA UE motor 0.778** 0.555** 0.144
K-FMA LE motor 0.861** 0.549** 0.323

The data showed Pearson correlation coefficients.

K-FMA, Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment; UE, upper extremity; LE, lower extremity.

*p<0.05,

**p<0.01, calculated by Pearson correlation test.

  • 1. Langhorne P, Coupar F, Pollock A. Motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review. Lancet Neurol 2009;8:741-54.
  • 2. Shavelle RM, Brooks JC, Strauss DJ, Turner-Stokes L. Life expectancy after stroke based on age, sex, and Rankin grade of disability: a synthesis. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2019;28:104450.
  • 3. Jehkonen M, Ahonen JP, Dastidar P, Koivisto AM, Laippala P, Vilkki J, et al. Predictors of discharge to home during the first year after right hemisphere stroke. Acta Neurol Scand 2001;104:136-41.
  • 4. Barbosa NE, Forero SM, Galeano CP, Hernandez ED, Landinez NS, Sunnerhagen KS, et al. Translation and cultural validation of clinical observational scales: the Fugl-Meyer assessment for post stroke sensorimotor function in Colombian Spanish. Disabil Rehabil 2019;41:2317-23.
  • 5. Fugl-Meyer AR, Jaasko L, Leyman I, Olsson S, Steglind S. The post-stroke hemiplegic patient. 1. A method for evaluation of physical performance. Scand J Rehabil Med 1975;7:13-31.
  • 6. Gladstone DJ, Danells CJ, Black SE. The Fugl-Meyer assessment of motor recovery after stroke: a critical review of its measurement properties. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2002;16:232-40.
  • 7. Michaelsen SM, Rocha AS, Knabben RJ, Rodrigues LP, Fernandes CG. Translation, adaptation and inter-rater reliability of the administration manual for the FuglMeyer assessment. Rev Bras Fisioter 2011;15:80-8.
  • 8. Duncan PW, Propst M, Nelson SG. Reliability of the Fugl-Meyer assessment of sensorimotor recovery following cerebrovascular accident. Phys Ther 1983;63:1606-10.
  • 9. Sanford J, Moreland J, Swanson LR, Stratford PW, Gowland C. Reliability of the Fugl-Meyer assessment for testing motor performance in patients following stroke. Phys Ther 1993;73:447-54.
  • 10. Sullivan KJ, Tilson JK, Cen SY, Rose DK, Hershberg J, Correa A, et al. Fugl-Meyer assessment of sensorimotor function after stroke: standardized training procedure for clinical practice and clinical trials. Stroke 2011;42:427-32.
  • 11. See J, Dodakian L, Chou C, Chan V, McKenzie A, Reinkensmeyer DJ, et al. A standardized approach to the Fugl-Meyer assessment and its implications for clinical trials. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2013;27:732-41.
  • 12. Malouin F, Pichard L, Bonneau C, Durand A, Corriveau D. Evaluating motor recovery early after stroke: comparison of the Fugl-Meyer assessment and the Motor Assessment Scale. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1994;75:1206-12.
  • 13. Nadeau S, Arsenault AB, Gravel D, Bourbonnais D. Analysis of the clinical factors determining natural and maximal gait speeds in adults with a stroke. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 1999;78:123-30.
  • 14. Shelton FD, Volpe BT, Reding M. Motor impairment as a predictor of functional recovery and guide to rehabilitation treatment after stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2001;15:229-37.
  • 15. Mao HF, Hsueh IP, Tang PF, Sheu CF, Hsieh CL. Analysis and comparison of the psychometric properties of three balance measures for stroke patients. Stroke 2002;33:1022-7.
  • 16. Hsieh YW, Wu CY, Lin KC, Chang YF, Chen CL, Liu JS. Responsiveness and validity of three outcome measures of motor function after stroke rehabilitation. Stroke 2009;40:1386-91.
  • 17. Dettmann MA, Linder MT, Sepic SB. Relationships among walking performance, postural stability, and functional assessments of the hemiplegic patient. Am J Phys Med 1987;66:77-90.
  • 18. Deakin A, Hill H, Pomeroy VM. Rough guide to the Fugl-Meyer Assessment: upper limb section. Physiotherapy 2003;89:751-63.
  • 19. Amano S, Umeji A, Uchita A, Hashimoto Y, Takebayashi T, Kanata Y, et al. Reliability and validity of arm function assessment for the Fugl–Meyer assessment with a Japanese guideline. Ann Phys Rehabil Med 2018;61 Suppl:e186.
  • 20. Lundquist CB, Maribo T. The Fugl-Meyer assessment of the upper extremity: reliability, responsiveness and validity of the Danish version. Disabil Rehabil 2017;39:934-9.
  • 21. Park M, Lee JY, Ham Y, Oh SW, Shin JH. Korean version of the Stroke Rehabilitation Motivation Scale: reliability and validity evaluation. Ann Rehabil Med 2020;44:11-9.
  • 22. Fayazi M, Dehkordi SN, Dadgoo M, Salehi M. Test-retest reliability of Motricity Index strength assessments for lower extremity in post stroke hemiparesis. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2012;26:27-30.
  • 23. Blum L, Korner-Bitensky N. Usefulness of the Berg Balance Scale in stroke rehabilitation: a systematic review. Phys Ther 2008;88:559-66.
  • 24. Stevenson TJ. Detecting change in patients with stroke using the Berg Balance Scale. Aust J Physiother 2001;47:29-38.
  • 25. Cicchetti DV. Guidelines, criteria, and rules of thumb for evaluating normed and standardized assessment instruments in psychology. Psychol Assess 1994;6:284-90.
  • 26. Hinkle DE, Wiersma W, Jurs SG. Applied statistics for the behavioral sciences. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin; 2003.
  • 27. Hsueh IP, Wang CH, Sheu CF, Hsieh CL. Comparison of psychometric properties of three mobility measures for patients with stroke. Stroke 2003;34:1741-5.
  • 28. de Oliveira R, Cacho EW, Borges G. Post-stroke motor and functional evaluations: a clinical correlation using Fugl-Meyer assessment scale, Berg balance scale and Barthel index. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2006;64:731-5.
  • 29. Kim H, Her J, Ko J, Park DS, Woo JH, You Y, et al. Reliability, concurrent validity, and responsiveness of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) for hemiplegic patients. J Phys Ther Sci 2012;24:893-99.
  • 30. Bae WS, Lee GC, Nam HC. The relation between the Fugl-Meyer motor assessment and walking and balance ability in stroke patient. J Korean Soc Phys Med 2011;6:59-69.
Appendix 1.
The Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (K-FMA)
arm-20225-app1.pdf
Appendix 2.
Example of the instruction and illustration of the manual
arm-20225-app2.pdf

Figure & Data

References

    Citations

    Citations to this article as recorded by  
    • Efficacy of brain-computer interface training with motor imagery-contingent feedback in improving upper limb function and neuroplasticity among persons with chronic stroke: a double-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial
      Myeong Sun Kim, Hyunju Park, Ilho Kwon, Kwang-Ok An, Hayeon Kim, Gyulee Park, Wooseok Hyung, Chang-Hwan Im, Joon-Ho Shin
      Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Additional Effects of Facilitatory Cerebellar Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Inhibitory Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation over the Unaffected Contralesional Primary Motor Cortex for Motor Recovery in Subacute Ischemic Stroke Pa
      Sungwon Kim, Ho Seok Lee, Heegoo Kim, Dae Hyun Kim, Won Hyuk Chang
      Journal of Clinical Medicine.2025; 14(7): 2315.     CrossRef
    • Korean Version of the Confidence of Arm and Hand Movement Scale and Its Psychometric Properties
      Hanna Kim, Yeajin Ham, Joon-Ho Shin
      Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2025; 49(2): 104.     CrossRef
    • The Czech Fugl–Meyer assessment for post-stroke sensorimotor function: translation and cross-cultural adaptation and validation
      Barbora Kolářová, Petra Gaul-Aláčová, Nicole Musilová, Anna Majerová, Margit Alt Murphy
      Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine.2025; 57: jrm43010.     CrossRef
    • Prediction of the functional outcome of intensive inpatient rehabilitation after stroke using machine learning methods
      Silvia Campagnini, Alessandro Sodero, Marco Baccini, Bahia Hakiki, Antonello Grippo, Claudio Macchi, Andrea Mannini, Francesca Cecchi
      Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper extremity in stroke: A pyschometric systematic review
      Pablo de Blas-Zamorano, Pedro Montagut-Martínez, David Pérez-Cruzado, Jose-Antonio Merchan-Baeza
      Journal of Hand Therapy.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and clinimetric evaluation of the lower extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-LE) in Persian speaking stroke patients
      Zahra Hassani, Elham Loni, Markus Melloh, Hamid Reza Mokhtarinia
      Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation.2025; : 1.     CrossRef
    • Resistive versus active assisted robotic training for the upper limb after a stroke: A randomized controlled study
      Sun Young Jeon, Myung Ki, Joon-Ho Shin
      Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.2024; 67(1): 101789.     CrossRef
    • Validity and reliability of selective control of upper extremity scale (SCUES) in patients with chronic stroke
      Didem Boz Sönmez, Esra Giray, Arzu Atıcı, Özge Gülsüm Illeez, Pınar Akpınar, Feyza Ünlü Özkan, Ilknur Aktaş
      Disability and Rehabilitation.2024; 46(20): 4813.     CrossRef
    • Rehabilitative effects of Baduanjin in Chinese stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
      Xi Cheng, Yanling Gao, Xiaofeng Chen, Jinhua Lu, Qingyue Dai, Jinghui Lai
      Preventive Medicine Reports.2024; 41: 102703.     CrossRef
    • Effect of Hwanggigyejiomul-tang on Postoperative Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema (BCRL): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
      Yeong-seo Lee, Ye-seul Kim, Young-kyun Kim, Kyoung-min Kim
      The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine.2024; 45(1): 31.     CrossRef
    • Effects of high-intensity interval robot-assisted gait training on cardiopulmonary function and walking ability in chronic stroke survivors: A multicenter single-blind randomized controlled trial
      Junghwa Do, Woo-Taek Lim, Dae Yul Kim, Eun Jae Ko, Myoung-Hwan Ko, Geon Woo Kim, Ji Hye Kim, SooBin Kim, Hwal Kim
      Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.2024; 37(5): 1309.     CrossRef
    • No Additional Effects of Sequential Facilitatory Cerebral and Cerebellar rTMS in Subacute Stroke Patients
      Ho Seok Lee, Sungwon Kim, Heegoo Kim, Seung-min Baik, Dae Hyun Kim, Won Hyuk Chang
      Journal of Personalized Medicine.2024; 14(7): 687.     CrossRef
    • Effectiveness of mixed reality-based rehabilitation on hands and fingers by individual finger-movement tracking in patients with stroke
      Yeajin Ham, Dong-Seok Yang, Younggeun Choi, Joon-Ho Shin
      Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Research trends and hotspots of post-stroke upper limb dysfunction: a bibliometric and visualization analysis
      Qingqing Tang, Xinyue Yang, Mengmeng Sun, Min He, Ren Sa, Kaiqiang Zhang, Bing Zhu, Tie Li
      Frontiers in Neurology.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Protocol for a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial to investigate the feasibility and safety of in-bed self-exercises based on electromyography sensor feedback in patients with subacute stroke
      Jung Hyun Kim, Byung-Mo Oh, Han Gil Seo, Sung Eun Hyun, Jong tae Han, Dae hee Kang, Woo Hyung Lee, Mehrnaz Kajbafvala
      PLOS ONE.2024; 19(12): e0310178.     CrossRef
    • Efficiency and usability of a modified pegboard incorporating computerized technology for upper limb rehabilitation in patients with stroke
      Yeajin Ham, Joon-Ho Shin
      Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation.2023; 30(4): 333.     CrossRef
    • Intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Italian Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper and lower extremity
      Ines Hochleitner, Leonardo Pellicciari, Chiara Castagnoli, Anita Paperini, Angela Maria Politi, Silvia Campagnini, Silvia Pancani, Benedetta Basagni, Filippo Gerli, Maria Chiara Carrozza, Claudio Macchi, Margit Alt Murphy, Francesca Cecchi
      Disability and Rehabilitation.2023; 45(18): 2989.     CrossRef
    • Correlation of the Fugl Meyer assessment, Motricity Index and Barthel Index scales in the assessment of rehabilitation in post-stroke patients
      Duong Thi Huong Nguyen, Dieu Thuong Thi Trinh
      MedPharmRes.2023; 7(4): 1.     CrossRef
    • Motor and cognitive function according to level of physical activity in stroke patients
      Jeong Ja Kim, Jong Won Lee
      The Journal of Korean Academy of Physical Therapy Science.2023; 30(4): 29.     CrossRef
    • Urdu translation and cross-cultural validation of the Fugl-Meyer assessment in people with stroke
      Mehwish Ikram, Syed Shakil ur Rehman, Katharina S. Sunnerhagen, Margit Alt Murphy
      Disability and Rehabilitation.2022; 44(25): 8048.     CrossRef
    • Assessment of Lower Limb Motor Function, Ambulation, and Balance After Stroke
      Yeun Jie Yoo, Seong Hoon Lim
      Brain & Neurorehabilitation.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Assessment of Upper Extremity Function in People With Stroke Based on the Framework of the ICF: A Narrative Review
      Hanna Kim, Joon-Ho Shin
      Brain & Neurorehabilitation.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • European evidence-based recommendations for clinical assessment of upper limb in neurorehabilitation (CAULIN): data synthesis from systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus
      Gerdienke B. Prange-Lasonder, Margit Alt Murphy, Ilse Lamers, Ann-Marie Hughes, Jaap H. Buurke, Peter Feys, Thierry Keller, Verena Klamroth-Marganska, Ina M. Tarkka, Annick Timmermans, Jane H. Burridge
      Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef

    Download Citation

    Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.

    Format:

    Include:

    The Korean Version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment: Reliability and Validity Evaluation
    Ann Rehabil Med. 2021;45(2):83-98.   Published online April 14, 2021
    Download Citation
    Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.

    Format:
    • RIS — For EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and most other reference management software
    • BibTeX — For JabRef, BibDesk, and other BibTeX-specific software
    Include:
    • Citation for the content below
    The Korean Version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment: Reliability and Validity Evaluation
    Ann Rehabil Med. 2021;45(2):83-98.   Published online April 14, 2021
    Close
    The Korean Version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment: Reliability and Validity Evaluation
    The Korean Version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment: Reliability and Validity Evaluation
    Characteristic Value
    Sex
     Male 18 (58.1)
     Female 13 (41.9)
    Time after stroke onset (mo) 11.2±7.9
    Age (yr) 53.6±16.1
    Height (cm) 165.8±8.5
    Weight (kg) 65.4±12.3
    Hemiplegic side 31
     Right hemiplegia 11
     Left hemiplegia 17
     Quadriplegia 3
    Motricity Index 40.2±17.9
    Motor Assessment Scale 23.6±10.9
    Berg Balance Scale 35.2±13.6
    Test Evaluator 1
    Evaluator 2
    Test Retest p-value ICC Test Retest p-value ICC
    K-FMA total score 139.19±19.23 138.23±20.07 <0.001 0.938** 138.81±20.80 140.94±19.78 <0.001 0.944**
    K-FMA UE motor score 23.52±11.64 22.84±12.91 <0.001 0.959** 23.55±12.32 24.13±11.97 <0.001 0.977**
    K-FMA LE motor score 20.13±6.09 19.03±6.04 <0.001 0.912** 19.26±6.52 19.74±6.11 <0.001 0.802**
    K-FMA total motor score 43.65±15.65 41.87±16.81 <0.001 0.961** 42.81±16.69 43.87±16.37 <0.001 0.946**
    Tactile sensitivity for UE 6.45±5.02 6.32±5.15 <0.001 0.935** 6.35±5.03 6.48±5.08 <0.001 0.940**
    Tactile sensitivity for LE 8.32±3.60 8.61±3.51 <0.001 0.927** 8.29±3.63 8.65±3.65 <0.001 0.939**
    Passive ROM for UE 21.84±2.19 22.03±2.18 <0.001 0.866** 22.03±1.89 22.23±2.03 <0.001 0.961**
    Passive ROM for LE 18.52±1.18 18.87±1.36 0.007 0.596** 18.71±1.22 18.42±2.35 0.028 0.512*
    Joint pain for UE 21.06±2.94 21.06±3.84 <0.001 0.721** 21.19±2.93 21.81±2.74 <0.001 0.887**
    Joint pain for LE 19.35±1.23 19.45±1.77 0.002 0.677** 19.42±1.03 19.48±1.71 <0.001 0.780**
    Test Part 1
    Part 2
    Evaluator 1 Evaluator 2 p-value ICC Evaluator 1 Evaluator 2 p-value ICC
    K-FMA total score 139.19±19.23 138.81±20.80 <0.001 0.974** 138.23±20.07 140.94±19.78 <0.001 0.967**
    K-FMA UE motor score 23.52±11.64 23.55±12.32 <0.001 0.980** 22.84±12.91 24.13±11.97 <0.001 0.983**
    K-FMA LE motor score 20.13±6.09 19.26±6.52 <0.001 0.880** 19.03±6.04 19.74±6.11 <0.001 0.949**
    K-FMA total motor score 43.65±15.65 42.81±16.69 <0.001 0.966** 41.87±16.81 43.87±16.37 <0.001 0.984**
    Tactile sensitivity for UE 6.45±5.02 6.35±5.03 <0.001 0.995** 6.32±5.15 6.48±5.08 <0.001 0.995**
    Tactile sensitivity for LE 8.32±3.60 8.29±3.63 <0.001 0.993** 8.61±3.51 8.65±3.65 <0.001 0.993**
    Passive ROM for UE 21.84±2.19 22.03±1.89 <0.001 0.902** 22.03±2.18 22.23±2.03 <0.001 0.975**
    Passive ROM for LE 18.52±1.18 18.71±1.22 <0.001 0.782** 18.87±1.36 18.42±2.35 0.032 0.498*
    Joint pain for UE 21.06±2.94 21.19±2.93 <0.001 0.971** 21.06±3.84 21.81±2.74 <0.001 0.727**
    Joint pain for LE 19.35±1.23 19.42±1.03 <0.001 0.851** 19.45±1.77 19.48±1.71 <0.001 0.997**
    K-FMA Motricity Index Motor Assessment Scale Berg Balance Scale
    K-FMA total 0.788** 0.496** 0.233
    K-FMA UE total 0.639** 0.446* 0.126
    K-FMA LE total 0.754** 0.399* 0.334
    K-FMA motor 0.891** 0.613** 0.223
    K-FMA UE motor 0.778** 0.555** 0.144
    K-FMA LE motor 0.861** 0.549** 0.323
    Table 1. Baseline characteristics of the participants (n=31)

    Values are presented as number (%) or mean±standard deviation.

    Table 2. Intra-rater reliability of the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (n=31)

    Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

    ICC, intra-class correlation coefficient; K-FMA, the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment; UE, upper extremity; LE, lower extremity; ROM, range of motion.

    p<0.05,

    p<0.01.

    Table 3. Inter-rater reliability of the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (n=31)

    Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

    ICC, intra-class correlation coefficient; K-FMA, the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment; UE, upper extremity; LE, lower extremity; ROM, range of motion.

    p<0.05,

    p<0.01.

    Table 4. Pearson correlation test of the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment comparing with Motricity Index, Motor Assessment Scale, and Berg Balance Scale (n=31)

    The data showed Pearson correlation coefficients.

    K-FMA, Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment; UE, upper extremity; LE, lower extremity.

    p<0.05,

    p<0.01, calculated by Pearson correlation test.

    TOP