[Validation of "Action Research Arm Test" (ARAT) in Chilean patients with a paretic upper limb after a stroke].

BACKGROUND Stroke is one of the main causes of disability and death in the world. Sixty three percent of stroke survivors require rehabilitation which is a complex functional recovery multidisciplinary task. AIM To determine the psychometric properties of the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), that is used to assess the functional recovery of a paretic upper limb. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty stroke survivors were assessed at their homes as a baseline and two months later applying ARAT and Motor Activity Log (MAL-30) assessments. In the latter evaluation quality of life was assessed with SIS 3.0 score and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) was applied. Participants received no intervention in the lapse between the two assessments. RESULTS Cronbach a values for ARAT were 0.88 and 0.89 at baseline and two months assessments, respectively. Temporary stability had an r value of 0. 93 (p < 0.01). The convergent validity with quality of movement of MAL-30 was r = 0.58 and r = 0.51. The figures with quantity of movement were r = 0.55 and r = 0.57. The convergent validity with SIS 3.0 was r = 0.53 for the hand, r = 0.57 for participation and r = 0.48 for recovery. ARATscores correlated inversely and significantly with age and pain. There was no discriminant validity between ARAT and emotion, memory, communication and mobility of SIS 3.0, GHQ-30 and the socio-economic level. CONCLUSIONS ARAT is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the functional recovery of paretic upper limbs after a stroke.