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Can the Wolf Motor Function Test be Streamlined?

Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, KBogard{at}learnlink.edu

Steven Wolf, PhD, FAPTA

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, Georgia

Qin Zhang, MPE

Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri

Paul Thompson, PhD

Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri

David Morris, PhD, PT

Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Deborah Nichols-Larsen, PhD, PT

School of Allied Medical Professions, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Background. To assess upper extremity (UE) capabilities following stroke, the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) measures time to complete 15 UE tasks and 2 strength tasks, but takes 30 to 45 minutes for the clinician to complete. Objective. In an effort to streamline the WMFT, this study evaluated the association between the magnitude of improvement on any timed task of the WMFT and the change score on all other tasks among participants in the Extremity Constraint Induced Therapy Evaluation (EXCITE) trial. Methods. This association was evaluated using regression methods according to chronicity and controlling for key covariates (functional level, gender, concordance) for log mean WMFT scores. Results. After controlling for covariates, 6 tasks (hand to table [front], hand to box [front], reach and retrieve, lift can, lift pencil, and fold towel) influenced the overall WMFT score for survivors meeting EXCITE criteria and treated within 3 to 9 months poststroke. Six different tasks (extend elbow weight, hand to box [front], lift can, lift pencil, turn key in lock, and fold towel) influenced the overall WMFT score for those receiving constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) 1 year later. The importance of certain tasks relative to others may best represent overall UE function, but this streamlining enables the clinician to prioritize these tasks in the evaluation. Conclusions. The delineation of those tasks depends on the time poststroke from enrollment to CIMT. This study demonstrates that the WMFT can be streamlined from 17 to 6 tasks.

Key Words: Wolf Motor Function Test • Streamlined • CIMT therapy • Stroke • Rehabilitation

This version was published on June 1, 2009

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 23, No. 5, 422-428 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1545968308331141


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