REPAS, a summary rating scale for resistance to passive movement: item selection, reliability and validity.
OBJECTIVE
To establish: (i) item characteristics and item selection for the REPAS; (ii) internal consistency, inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the final REPAS version and its subtests; (iii) the association between the REPAS and selected other clinical scales of impairment and activity limitation.


METHODS
Thirty-three neurological patients with central paresis. Two REPAS assessments with a one-week interval by two independent raters. Concurrent assessment of the Motricity Index, Box-and-Block test, Functional Ambulation Category, Timed walking, Barthel Index, Disability Rating Scale, Carer Burden Scale, and Hygiene Score.


RESULTS
Twenty-six of 52 REPAS items fulfilled the item selection criteria. The final test version showed a high internal consistency, inter-rater and test-retest reliability (correlation coefficients: 0.87-0.97, no significant difference between raters or with test repetition). Reliability of the arm and leg subtests was substantial (correlation coefficients: arm subtest 0.63-0.98, leg subtest 0.56-0.96). REPAS scores were moderately associated with basic ADL competence and a carer's burden with arm or leg adductor spasticity. The REPAS, arm subtest scores, degree of arm paresis and gross manual dexterity showed a moderately high association.


CONCLUSIONS
The Ashworth scale-based guidelines assured comparability of test administration and scoring. The REPAS is a reliable and valid summary rating scale for resistance to passive movement.
Platz
Thomas
T
Neurological Rehabilitation Centre (NRZ) Greifswald, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität, Greifswald, Germany. t.platz@nrz-greifswald.de
Vuadens
P
P
Eickhof
Christel
C
Arnold
P
P
Van Kaick
Stefanie
S
Heise
Kirstin
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010291:Paresis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation