Reliability of the Functional Reach Test and the influence of anthropometric characteristics on test results in subjects with hemiparesis.

First designed as an alternative method of assessing balance and susceptibility to falls among elderly, the Functional Reach Test (FR) has also been used among patients with hemiparesis. Then this study aimed to describe the intra- and inter-rater and the test/re-test reliability of the FR measure in subjects with and without hemiparesis while verifying anthropometric influences on the measurements. The FR was administered to a sample of subjects with hemiparesis and to a control group that was matched by gender and age.

Is it correct to always consider weight-bearing asymmetrically distributed in individuals with hemiparesis?

Injuries may cause unilateral deterioration of brain areas related to postural control resulting in lateralized motor disability with abnormal asymmetry in weight-bearing distribution. Although overloading toward the nonaffected limb has been described as the preferred posture among individuals with hemiparesis, characterization of the weight-bearing asymmetry is poorly and indirectly described. Therefore, this study aimed to describe weight-bearing distribution during upright stance, establishing criteria to consider asymmetry in hemiparesis when analyzed within the limits defined by controls matched by age and gender.

A Brazilian experience to describe functioning and disability profiles provided by combined use of ICD and ICF in chronic stroke patients at home-care.

Purpose: To present experience of combined use of the International Classifications to determine functioning and disability profiles of chronic stroke patients at home-care.

Methods: It was a design observational study with 13 subjects sampled from 39 patients with stroke pre-selected from 115 patients attended by a public home-care service. Their socio-demographic and others independent variables were assessed and frequencies of codified events from International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) were recorded.