Modified emory functional ambulation profile: an outcome measure for the rehabilitation of poststroke gait dysfunction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile (mEFAP) is an easily administered test that measures the time to ambulate through 5 common environmental terrains with or without an assistive device or manual assistance. The mEFAP was evaluated for its interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and sensitivity to change during outpatient rehabilitation for poststroke gait dysfunction. METHODS Twenty-six poststroke patients were followed up prospectively in a rehabilitation day-treatment program. The mEFAP, Berg Balance Test (BBT), and 7-item mobility subsection of the Functional Independence Measure + Functional Assessment Measure (FAMm) were completed at admission and discharge. RESULTS mEFAP interrater reliability (intraclass coefficient [ICC] 0.999) and test-retest reliability (ICC 0.998) were high. The BBT demonstrated high interrater (ICC 0.992) but poor test-retest (ICC 0.605) reliability. Initial and final scores comparing the mEFAP with the BBT (r=-0.735, r=-0.703) and the mEFAP with the FAMm (r=0.685, r=-0.775) were strongly correlated. Improvement on the mEFAP correlated with improved BBT performance (r=-0.524). There was no correlation between overall change observed on the FAMm and change on the mEFAP (r=-0.145). Total mEFAP and all mEFAP subtask scores improved over time (P:<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The mEFAP is a reliable gait-assessment tool for patients with stroke and is sensitive to change in ambulation speed.