A Comparison of Test-Retest Reliability and Practice Effects of Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire and Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Patients with Stroke.

Objective: To compare the test-retest reliabilities and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire (SPMSQ) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in patients with stroke.

Methods: 63 patients were recruited from 1 medical center. The SPMSQ and MoCA were administered twice, 2 weeks apart.

The minimal important difference for the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients in the subacute stage.

Background: The minimal important difference (MID) of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) remains unknown, limiting the interpretation of change scores.

Objectives: To estimate the MID of the PASS in patients with subacute stroke.

Methods: Data at admission and discharge for 240 participants were retrieved from a longitudinal study.

Consistency between two subjective assessments of activities of daily living: Patient- and occupational therapist-reported judgments.

Purpose: To examine the consistency between patient- and occupational therapist-reported judgments of patients' ability and change in ADL abilities.

Materials: Patient- and therapist-reported ADL abilities were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale, whilst the changes in patients' ADL abilities were reported by patients and therapists using a 15-point Likert-type scale.

Methods: Repeated assessments at a 3-week interval were used.

Comparison of responsiveness of the Barthel Index and modified Barthel Index in patients with stroke.

Purpose: To compare the group- and individual-level responsiveness of the Barthel Index (BI) and modified BI (MBI) in patients with early subacute stroke.

Materials And Methods: The BI and MBI scores of 63, 63, and 55 patients were retrieved at 3 time points with a 3-weeks interval. The group-level responsiveness was examined using paired -test and standardized response mean (SRM).

A 10-item Fugl-Meyer Motor Scale Based on Machine Learning.

Objective: The Fugl-Meyer motor scale (FM) is a well-validated measure for assessing upper extremity and lower extremity motor functions in people with stroke. The FM contains numerous items (50), which reduces its clinical usability. The purpose of this study was to develop a short form of the FM for people with stroke using a machine-learning methodology (FM-ML) and compare the efficiency (ie, number of items) and psychometric properties of the FM-ML with those of other FM versions, including the original FM, the 37-item FM, and the 12-item FM.

A comparison of test-retest reliability and random measurement error of the Barthel Index and modified Barthel Index in patients with chronic stroke.

Objective: To compare the test-retest reliability and random measurement errors of the Barthel Index (BI) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) in patients with chronic stroke.

Method: The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the minimal detectable change (MDC) were applied respectively to examine the test-retest reliability (about 2 weeks apart) and the random measurement errors. The MDC% was used to adjust the cut-off score for determining whether a real change had been achieved, if heteroscedasticity existed.

Correlations between subjective rating and objective assessment of balance function in individuals with stroke.

Purpose: To examine the relationships among therapist-reported, patient-reported, and objective assessment scores of balance function.

Methods: Inpatients with stroke and occupational therapists were recruited. The objective balance scores were measured using the Balance Computerized Adaptive Testing (Balance CAT) system.

Responsiveness and predictive validity of the Tablet-based Symbol Digit Modalities Test in patients with stroke.

Background: The responsiveness and predictive validity of the Tablet-based Symbol Digit Modalities Test (T-SDMT) are unknown, which limits the utility of the T-SDMT in both clinical and research settings.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the responsiveness and predictive validity of the T-SDMT in inpatients with stroke.

Design: A follow-up, repeated-assessments design.

Refining 3 Measures to Construct an Efficient Functional Assessment of Stroke.

Background And Purpose: The Fugl-Meyer Assessment motor scale, Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients, and Barthel Index are widely used to assess patients' upper extremity and lower extremity motor function, balance, and basic activities of daily living after stroke, respectively. However, these 3 measures (72 items) require a great amount of time for assessment. Therefore, we aimed to develop an efficient test, the Functional Assessment of Stroke (FAS).

Improving the utility of the Brunnstrom recovery stages in patients with stroke: Validation and quantification.

The Brunnstrom recovery stages (the BRS) consists of 2 items assessing the poststroke motor function of the upper extremities and 1 assessing the lower extremities. The 3 items together represent overall motor function. Although the BRS efficiently assesses poststroke motor functions, a lack of rigorous examination of the psychometric properties restricts its utility.

Convergent validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D utility weights for stroke survivors.

Objective: This prospective study examined the convergent validity and responsiveness of the EuroQoL-5 Dimensions Health Questionnaire (EQ-5D) utility weights in stroke survivors at the subacute stage.

Methods: Repeated assessments were conducted in rehabilitation wards of a medical centre. A study cohort was recruited from inpatients (n = 478).

Development of a Tablet-based symbol digit modalities test for reliably assessing information processing speed in patients with stroke.

Purpose: To develop a Tablet-based Symbol Digit Modalities Test (T-SDMT) and to examine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the T-SDMT in patients with stroke.

Methods: The study had two phases. In the first phase, six experts, nine college students and five outpatients participated in the development and testing of the T-SDMT.

Development of a computerized Digit Vigilance Test and validation in patients with stroke.

Objectives: To develop a computerized Digit Vigilance Test (C-DVT) with lower random measurement error than that of the DVT and to examine the concurrent validity, ecological validity, and test-retest reliability of the C-DVT in patients with stroke.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Patients: Forty-four patients with stroke.

A controlled pilot trial of two commercial video games for rehabilitation of arm function after stroke.

Objectives: To investigate the acceptability and potential efficacy of two commercial video games for improving upper extremity function after stroke in order to inform future sample size and study design.

Design: A controlled clinical trial design using sequential allocation into groups.

Setting: A clinical occupational therapy department.

Upper extremity rehabilitation equipment for stroke patients in Taiwan: usage problems and improvement needs.

The purpose of this study was to survey occupational therapists for the usage problems and for their improvement needs for upper extremity rehabilitation equipment (UERE). A questionnaire was given to experienced occupational therapists from 113 hospitals that provide occupational therapy services with three or more professional full-time therapists. A total of 48 hospitals sent back questionnaires, and 184 valid questionnaires were received.

Validation of a Chinese version of the Frenchay Activities Index in patients with traumatic limb injury.

Purpose: The Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) is a frequently used measure that assesses instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). However, the measurement properties of the FAI are largely unknown for patients with traumatic limb injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine the measurement properties of a Chinese version of the FAI, including score distribution, internal consistency, construct validity, predictive validity, and responsiveness in patients with traumatic limb injuries.

Differences between patient and proxy reports in the assessment of disability after stroke.

Objective: To determine whether the assessment of disability level including basic activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL varies between patients' and proxy respondents' reports, and to explore the factors influencing proxy agreement.

Design: Patient-proxy agreement study.

Setting: Hospital settings.

[Assistive technology devices for the elderly at home].

Using assistive technology (AT) to help the elderly and disabled overcome disabilities and attain their rehabilitation, learning, working and living potentials represents the mainstream trend in well-developed countries. According to data from Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan's senior citizen population exceeds two million. Proper application of AT can help achieve in Taiwan the goal of aging in place.

Effects of display medium and luminance contrast on concept formation and EEG response.

Reading from a visual display terminal (VDT) has increased enormously with widespread computer use. Whether such reading affects higher cognitive processes requires study so the effect of display medium (LCD screen vs paper) and luminance contrast (1:3, 1:7, 1:11) on concept-formation performance and EEG responses was investigated. 96 men and 24 women participated in two concept-formation tasks (rule learning vs attribute and rule learning).