title: Clinical implications of using the arm motor ability test in stroke rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify all published studies using the Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT), a standardized, laboratory-based measure for selected upper extremity activities of daily living (ADLs); and to summarize its current uses and provide recommendations for its future use.
  
  
  METHODS
  An Ovid online search was performed using the terms "Arm Motor Ability Test" and "AMAT." The reference lists of all articles obtained were reviewed for additional studies not appearing in the literature search. In addition, the original manual for the use and administration of the AMAT was reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  All studies examining the psychometric properties of the AMAT or using the AMAT as an outcome measure were identified. Articles simply mentioning the AMAT without providing data and case reports or abstracts (other than those addressing a specific aspect of the scale of interest) were excluded.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were reviewed by the primary author. No formal system of quality review was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The AMAT has been used as an outcome measure in stroke rehabilitation research examining upper extremity robotics, functional electrical stimulation, and cortical stimulation. The most recent version contains 10 ADL tasks, each of which is composed of 1 to 3 subtasks. Of the 3 domains originally proposed, only the "functional ability" domain is routinely assessed. Psychometric studies have demonstrated good reliability and at least reasonable construct validity. The instrument's sensitivity to change over time is less well established, and no recommendation can be made regarding a minimal clinically important difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend that the 10-item version of the AMAT and assessment of only the functional ability domain be adopted as standard going forward. Further research should include examination of sensitivity over time, minimal clinically important change, reliability and validity in the mid and lower range of scores, and in neurologic diagnoses other than stroke.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th St., New York, NY 10065, USA. mio2005@med.cornell.edu
authors: Michael W
authors: MW
authors: O'Dell
authors: Grace
authors: G
authors: Kim
authors: Lisa Rivera
authors: LR
authors: Finnen
authors: Caitlin
authors: C
authors: Polistena
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation