Sensitivity of different ADL measures to apraxia and motor impairments.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether specifically designed activities of daily living (ADL) observations can measure disability due to apraxia with more sensitivity than the Barthel ADL Index, a conventional functional scale.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Rehabilitation centres and nursing homes.


METHODS
One hundred and six left hemisphere stroke patients with apraxia, hospitalized in rehabilitation centres and nursing homes.


METHODS
ADL observations, Barthel ADL Index, an apraxia test, Motricity Index, Functional Motor Test.


RESULTS
Multivariate analyses showed that the specific ADL observations were associated with severity of apraxia (and not with motor impairments). The Barthel ADL Index was associated with motor impairments (and not with severity of apraxia).


CONCLUSIONS
The assessment of disability in stroke patients with apraxia cannot rely only on the Barthel ADL Index. In addition, the specific ADL observation procedure is needed to measure disability due to apraxia.
Donkervoort
Mireille
M
Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht. M.Donkervoort@nivel.nl
Dekker
Joost
J
Deelman
Betto G
BG
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020240:Apraxia, Ideomotor / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009426:Netherlands; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation