title: Rasch validation of the streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test in people with chronic stroke and subacute stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The construct validity and reliability of the short form of the Wolf Motor Function Test (S-WMFT) in people with subacute stroke and chronic stroke (S-WMFT subacute stroke and chronic stroke versions) have not been investigated. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensionality, item difficulty hierarchy, differential item functioning (DIF), and reliability of the S-WMFT subacute stroke and chronic stroke versions in people with mild to moderate upper-extremity (UE) dysfunction. Design This was a secondary study in which data collected from randomized controlled trials were used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected at baseline from 97 people with chronic stroke (>12 months after stroke) and 75 people with subacute stroke (3-9 months after stroke) at 3 medical centers in Taiwan. Test structure, hierarchical properties, DIF, and reliability were assessed with Rasch analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The test structure for both versions was unidimensional. No DIF relevant to sex, age, or stroke location (hemispheric laterality) was detected. The tasks of moving a hand to a box and moving a hand to a table in the S-WMFT for subacute stroke showed a significantly high correlation. The reliability coefficients for both versions were approximately .90. Limitations The findings were limited to people with stroke and mild to moderate impairment of UE function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The S-WMFT subacute stroke and chronic stroke versions are useful tools for assessing UE function in different subgroups of people with stroke and show evidence of construct validity and reliability. A high correlation between the tasks of moving a hand to a box and moving a hand to a table in the S-WMFT for subacute stroke suggests that the removal of 1 of these 2 items is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Assessment Research Centre, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hui-fang
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ching-yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Keh-chung
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hsieh-ching
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Carl P-C
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chih-kuang
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010291:Paresis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D020127:Recovery of Function; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*