Reliability, Responsiveness, and Validity of Timed, Large Amplitude, Rapid Alternating Movement Patterns among Patients with Stroke

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2001, Vol.13 (2), p.75-81
• Main Authors: MICHELLE DITTIGER, RICHARD W BOHANNON, A WILLIAMS ANDREWS
• Format: Article
• Language: Japanese
• ISSN: 0915-5287

Objective：The purpose of this study was to investigate the adequacy of timed large amplitude rapid alternating movement patterns (RAMPs) as a measure of motor status following stroke. We were specifically interested in the reliability (internal consistency), responsiveness, and validity of timed large amplitude RAMPs. Design：A retrospective, descriptive, and correlational study. Setting：Inpatient rehabilitation unit of a university hospital. Subjects：The records of 91 patients with a primary diagnosis of stroke were retrieved for this study. Of these records, 32 were complete enough upon admission and discharge for use in this study. Main Outcome Measures：Large amplitude RAMP measures were obtained for each upper and lower extremity using a digital stopwatch. Additionally, the strength of eight muscle actions was assessed bilaterally using hand-held dynamometry. Functional independence of three activities (transfers, gait, and stair climbing) was graded using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). A sum FIM score was then obtained by adding the score of the three activities together. Results：The timed large amplitude RAMPs were found to have good reliability (alpha > .80) at both admission and discharge. There was a significant difference in RAMP scores between admission and discharge (F=41.824, p < .001), demonstrating that the RAMPs were responsive. Discriminant and convergent construct validity were good. Predictive validity varied depending on the RAMP and outcome measures correlated. Conclusions：Use of large amplitude RAMPs in the examination of patients with stroke is supported by their reliability, responsiveness, and validity.