Affiliations: [a] Neurorehabilitation Unit, University Medical Center, University of Lille 2, Lille, France | [b] Neurorehabilitation Unit, Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Dr. Etienne Allart, MD, Service de Rééducation et Convalescence Neurologiques, Hôpital Swynghedauw, CHRU de Lille, Rue André Verhaghe, 59037 Lille Cedex, France.
Tel.: +33 320 444871; Fax: +33 320 445832; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Background:Stroke often leads to upright standing and walking impairments. Clinical assessments do not sufficiently address ecological aspects and the patient's subjective evaluation of function. Objective:To perform a pilot assessment of the psychometric properties of the Lower Limb-Function Assessment Scale (LL-FAS). Methods:The LL-FAS includes 30 items assessing the patient's perception (in a questionnaire) and the examiner's perception (in a practical test) of upright standing and walking impairments and their impact on activities of daily living. We analyzed the LL-FAS's reliability, construct validity, internal consistency, predictive validity and feasibility. Results:Thirty-five stroke patients were included. The scale's mean ± SD completion time was 25 ± 6 min. Intra-observer reliability was good to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC >0.82). Interobserver reliability was moderate (0.67 < ICC < 0.9). The questionnaire and test items showed excellent construct validity for neuromotor disabilities (p < 0.05), postural ability (Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke; p < 10−5), severity of gait disorders (Gait Assessment and Intervention Tool; p < 10−3), walking ability (New Functional Ambulation Categories, 10 m walk test, Rivermead Mobility Index; p < 10−3) and functional level (Barthel Index; p < 10−3). Internal consistency (Cronbach-α >0.9) and predictive validity were excellent. Conclusions:The LL-FAS showed fair psychometric properties in this pilot study and may be of value for evaluating post-stroke lower limb impairment.
