title: Assessments in Australian stroke rehabilitation units: a systematic review of the post-stroke validity of the most frequently used.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Australia, stroke is the leading cause of adult disability. For most stroke survivors, the recovery process is challenging, and in the first few weeks their recovery is supported with stroke rehabilitation services. Stroke clinicians are expected to apply an evidence-based approach to stroke rehabilitation and, in turn, use standardised and validated assessments to monitor stroke recovery. In 2008, the National Stroke Foundation conducted the first national audit of Australia's post acute stroke rehabilitation services and findings identified a vast array of assessments being used by clinicians. This study undertook a sub-analysis of the audit's assessment tools data with the aim of making clinically relevant recommendations concerning the validity of the most frequently selected assessments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data reduction ranked the most frequently selected assessments across a series of sub-categories. A serial systematic review of relevant literature using Medline and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature identified post-stroke validity ranking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study found that standardised and non-standardised assessments are currently in use in stroke rehabilitation. It recommends further research in the sub-categories of strength, visual acuity, dysphagia, continence and nutrition and found strengths in the sub-categories of balance and mobility, upper limb function and mood.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to map national usage of post-stroke assessments and review that usage against the evidence. It generates new knowledge concerning what assessments we currently use post stroke, what we should be using and makes some practical post stroke clinical recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Honours Program, Discipline of Occupational Therapy, University of Newcastle, 55 Chatham St, Hamilton, NSW, 2303, Australia.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kitsos
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pollack
authors.forename: Isobel J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Hubbard
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D004856:Postural Balance; D011594:Psychometrics; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity