Translation, cultural adaptation and reliability of the brazilian version of the Graded Wolf Motor Function Test in adults with severe hemiparesis

Abstract

Introduction: The Graded Wolf Motor Function Test (GWMFT) was developed as a modification of the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), designed to address moderate-to-severe upper-extremity motor impairment, consequent to a stroke or brain injury, by combining time and quality of movement measures in both isolated movements and functional tasks. Objectives: To translate and adapt the GWMFT form and instructions manual to Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate the inter-rater reliability. Materials and methods: Tem individuals, mean age 53.2 ± 11.39 (range: 28-72) years and a mean time since stroke onset of 82.5 ± 85.83(16-288) months participated in the study. After translation and cultural adaptation, two independent evaluators, based on the instructions manual information, administered GWMFT. Video observations were used to rate the time and the compensatory movements in the Functional Ability Scale (FAS). Intra-class Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots were calculated to examine the inter-rater reliability for performance time and FAS. Results: The translated and adapted version obtained a total ICC inter-rater time 0.99 (0.95-1.00), showing less reliability in the task of lifting a pen, with ICC = 0.71 (– 0.15-0.93). The ICC of the total FAS was 0.98 (0.92-0.99) and the task of elbow extension has shown the lowest ICC rate = 0.83 (0.31-0.96). Conclusion: The GWMFT scale reliability proved to be appropriate to evaluate the paretic upper limb in individuals with chronic hemiparesis post severe stroke.