| Objective: To investigate the relationship between upper extremity motor performances and learned non use in subacute stroke patients. Method: Twenty eight subacute stroke patients in this study were recruited from two hospitals, and evaluated by an occupational therapist at first month after discharge from hospitals. The assessments employed for upper extremity motor performances included Fugl Meyer Assessment (FMA), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Box and Block Test (BBT), Functional Test for the Hemiplegic Upper Extremity Hong Kong Version (FTHUE-HK), learned non use was assessed by Motor Activity Log (MAL), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used for the correlation analysis. Results: Excellent correlation between two subscales, Amount of Use (AOU) and Quality of Movement (QOM) was found (r=0.751). MAL-AOU was excellently correlated with FMA (r=0.860), and moderately with other upper extremity assessments (r values from 0.551 to 0.744). Fair correlation was investigated between MAL-QOM and ARAT (r=0.38), but moderate correlation with other assessments (r values from 0.599 to 0.724). FIM got insignificant correlation with any one of the used assessments. Conclusion: These subacute stroke patients with better upper extremity function were more likely to use their affected upper extremity in their daily life. While rating their own upper extremity capacity, they prefer to refer their gross motor but not fine motor performance. |
