Active finger extension: a simple movement predicting recovery of arm function in patients with acute stroke.
OBJECTIVE
Early prognosis of arm recovery is a major clinical issue in stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of 4 simple bedside tests.


METHODS
Forty-eight patients with arm paresis/plegia were evaluated on days 7, 14, 30, 90 and 180 after stroke. Assessment included 4 potential predictors of arm recovery (active finger extension, shoulder abduction, shoulder shrug and hand movement scales) and 3 outcome measures evaluating arm function (Nine Hole Peg Test, Fugl-Meyer arm subtest, Motricity Index arm subtest).


RESULTS
The active finger extension scale was the most powerful prognostic factor. Patients with active finger extension scores >3 had a high probability of achieving good performance as assessed by the Motricity Index.


CONCLUSIONS
Active finger extension is a reliable early predictor of recovery of arm function in stroke patients.
Smania
Nicola
N
Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, Neurorehabilitation Section, University of Verona, Italy. nicola.smania@univr.it
Paolucci
Stefano
S
Tinazzi
Michele
M
Borghero
Anna
A
Manganotti
Paolo
P
Fiaschi
Antonio
A
Moretto
Giuseppe
G
Bovi
Paolo
P
Gambarin
Mattia
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation