Assessing the Motor Status Score: A scale for the evaluation of upper limb motor outcomes in patients after stroke

The Motor Status Scale (MSS) measures shoulder elbow (maximum score = 40), wrist, hand, and finger movements (maximum score = 42), and expands the measurement qf upper extremity impairment and disability provided by the Fugl-Meyer (IM) score. This work examines the interrater reliability and criterion validity of the MSS performed in patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital 21 +/- 4 days after stroke. Using the MSS and the FM, 7 occupational therapists masked to each other's judgments, evaluated.12 consecutive patients with stroke. Two therapists evaluated 6 additionalpatients on consecutive days. Intraclass correlation coefficients were significant for each group of raters for the shoulder/elbow and for the wrist/hand (P < 0.0001); test-retest measures were also significant for the shoulder/elbow (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.99, P < 0.004) and for the wrist/band (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.99, P < 0. 003). The internal item consistency for the overall MSS was significant (Cronbach alpha = 0.98, P < 0.0001). Finally the correlation between the MSS and the FM (R-2 = 0.964) was significant (11 < 0.0001). The MSS affords a reliable and valid assessment of upper limb impairment and disabilityfollowing stroke.