Modified emory functional ambulation profile: an outcome measure for the rehabilitation of poststroke gait dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
The modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile (mEFAP) is an easily administered test that measures the time to ambulate through 5 common environmental terrains with or without an assistive device or manual assistance. The mEFAP was evaluated for its interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and sensitivity to change during outpatient rehabilitation for poststroke gait dysfunction.


METHODS
Twenty-six poststroke patients were followed up prospectively in a rehabilitation day-treatment program. The mEFAP, Berg Balance Test (BBT), and 7-item mobility subsection of the Functional Independence Measure + Functional Assessment Measure (FAMm) were completed at admission and discharge.


RESULTS
mEFAP interrater reliability (intraclass coefficient [ICC] 0.999) and test-retest reliability (ICC 0.998) were high. The BBT demonstrated high interrater (ICC 0.992) but poor test-retest (ICC 0.605) reliability. Initial and final scores comparing the mEFAP with the BBT (r=-0.735, r=-0.703) and the mEFAP with the FAMm (r=0.685, r=-0.775) were strongly correlated. Improvement on the mEFAP correlated with improved BBT performance (r=-0.524). There was no correlation between overall change observed on the FAMm and change on the mEFAP (r=-0.145). Total mEFAP and all mEFAP subtask scores improved over time (P:<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The mEFAP is a reliable gait-assessment tool for patients with stroke and is sensitive to change in ambulation speed.
Baer
H R
HR
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Wolf
S L
SL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D020127:Recovery of Function; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking