The Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM): a comparison with other measures used to evaluate effects of stroke and rehabilitation

Abstract

Background and purpose: The Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM) is a relatively new measure of voluntary movement and basic mobility. The main objectives of this study were: (1) to examine the relationship of the STREAM to other measures of impairment and disability and (2) to compare its usefulness for evaluating effects of stroke and rehabilitation and for assessing change over time with that of other measures of impairment and disability.

Subjects and methods: The performance of 63 patients with acute stroke on the STREAM and other measures of impairment and disability was evaluated during the first week after stroke and 4 weeks and 3 months later.

Results: Scores on the STREAM were associated with scores on the Box and Block test, Balance Scale, Barthel Index, gait speed, and the Timed "Up Go" Test (with Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from .57 to .80) and were associated with categories of the Barthel Index and Balance Scale. The STREAM's ability to predict discharge destination from the acute care hospital, as well as to predict gait speed and Barthel Index scores at 3 months poststroke, was comparable to that of other commonly used measures. Standardized response mean estimates provided supporting evidence for the ability of the STREAM to reflect change over time.

Discussion and conclusion: The results obtained with the STREAM, as compared with other measures of impairment and disability in people with stroke, suggest that it may be useful in clinical practice and research.