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Comparative Study
. 2007 Mar;38(3):1088-90.
doi: 10.1161/01.STR.0000258077.88064.a3. Epub 2007 Jan 25.

Active finger extension: a simple movement predicting recovery of arm function in patients with acute stroke

Nicola Smania  1 , Stefano Paolucci, Michele Tinazzi, Anna Borghero, Paolo Manganotti, Antonio Fiaschi, Giuseppe Moretto, Paolo Bovi, Mattia Gambarin
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Active finger extension: a simple movement predicting recovery of arm function in patients with acute stroke

Nicola Smania et al. Stroke. 2007 Mar.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Early prognosis of arm recovery is a major clinical issue in stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of 4 simple bedside tests.

Methods: Forty-eight patients with arm paresis/plegia were evaluated on days 7, 14, 30, 90 and 180 after stroke. Assessment included 4 potential predictors of arm recovery (active finger extension, shoulder abduction, shoulder shrug and hand movement scales) and 3 outcome measures evaluating arm function (Nine Hole Peg Test, Fugl-Meyer arm subtest, Motricity Index arm subtest).

Results: The active finger extension scale was the most powerful prognostic factor. Patients with active finger extension scores >3 had a high probability of achieving good performance as assessed by the Motricity Index.

Conclusions: Active finger extension is a reliable early predictor of recovery of arm function in stroke patients.

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