title: An overview of systematic reviews on upper extremity outcome measures after stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although use of standardized and scientifically sound outcome measures is highly encouraged in clinical practice and research, there is still no clear recommendation on which tools should be preferred for upper extremity assessment after stroke. As the aims, objectives and methodology of the existing reviews of the upper extremity outcome measures can vary, there is a need to bring together the evidence from existing multiple reviews. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of evidence of the psychometric properties and clinical utility of upper extremity outcome measures for use in stroke, by systematically evaluating and summarizing findings from systematic reviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive systematic search was performed including systematic reviews from 2004 to February 2014. A methodological quality appraisal of the reviews was performed using the AMSTAR-tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 13 included systematic reviews, 53 measures were identified of which 13 met the standardized criteria set for the psychometric properties. The strongest level of measurement quality and clinical utility was demonstrated for Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Action Research Arm Test, Box and Block Test, Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory, Wolf Motor Function Test and ABILHAND.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This overview of systematic reviews provides a comprehensive systematic synthesis of evidence on which outcome measures demonstrate a high level of measurement quality and clinical utility and which can be considered as most suitable for upper extremity assessment after stroke. This overview can provide a valuable resource to assist clinicians, researchers and policy makers in selection of appropriate outcome measures.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Per Dubbsgatan 14, 3tr, S- 413 45, Göteborg, Sweden. margit.alt-murphy@neuro.gu.se.
authors.forename: Margit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alt Murphy
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, UK. c.a.resteghini@uel.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Resteghini
authors.affiliation: REVAL-Rehabilitation Research Centre, BIOMED-Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. peter.feys@uhasselt.be.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Feys
authors.affiliation: REVAL-Rehabilitation Research Centre, BIOMED-Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium. ilse.lamers@uhasselt.be.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lamers
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011594:Psychometrics; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*