Introduction. Tests of upper-extremity motor function used for people following a stroke have been described, but reliability and validity (psychometric properties) of measurements obtained with these tests have not been consistently established. This investigation was performed: (1) to review literature relative to upper-extremity motor function testing during rehabilitation following a stroke, (2) to develop selection criteria for identifying these tests in the literature, and (3) to rate the tests relative to their psychometric properties. Method. Literature searches were done using 2 databases. Reports of 4 psychometric properties were sought: interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity or concurrent validity, and predictive validity. Results. Nine tests met the inclusion criteria of having psychometric properties reported in the literature. No test had evidence for all 4 psychometric properties. Only the Nine-Hole Peg Test was supported by 3 out of 4 properties. Most tests had 2 properties supported. Concurrent validity or convergent validity was most frequently described; test-retest reliability was least frequently described. Conclusions. More complete psychometric support is needed for upper-extremity motor function tests applied following a stroke. The absence of psychometric support, however, does not mean that a test has no value. Clinicians are cautioned not to generalize psychometric evidence.

Friedreich ataxia, although rare, is the most prevalent inherited ataxia. Recent insight into the disease pathogenesis is creating new hope for effective therapies. The purposes of this update are: (1) to review the etiology, presentation, and progression of Friedreich ataxia and (2) to describe a comprehensive physical therapist examination emphasizing valid and reliable performance measurements associated with disease progression. Early identification of individuals with Friedreich ataxia and precise characterization of impairments and functional limitations gain importance as new drug therapies are considered.

Purpose To describe the frequency, type, and perceived effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) interventions for children with Friedreich Ataxia (FA); identify barriers to therapy; and solicit advice from parents. Method Parents of 30 children with FA participated in semi-structured interviews. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze the data. Results Sixty-seven percent of children received direct PT. Stretching and strengthening were used most frequently and their perceived usefulness increased as the children aged. Seventy-three percent received home exercise programs; 9% implemented these consistently. External barriers included a lack of expert providers and limited reimbursement. Internal barriers included limited time and energy, lack of awareness of services, and children’s preferences not to be treated differently. Parents advised therapists to become experts, advocates, and use approaches based on family and child preferences. Conclusions Outcomes provide a starting point for developing further research, education, and effective interventions for children with FA.

Background and Purpose: Balance impairments are prevalent in adult cancer survivors, leading to increased fall risk and reduced quality of life. To identify survivors in need of balance and fall interventions and to track change with intervention, health care providers need measures with sound psychometric properties and high clinical utility. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify reliable, valid, and clinically useful measures of balance impairments in adult cancer survivors. Secondary purposes were to obtain minimal detectable change of identified balance measures and to determine use of measures to evaluate fall risk. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to assess psychometric properties and clinical utility of balance measures identified from the literature search. Two reviewers in a team independently extracted data from articles and evaluated cumulative evidence for each balance measure using the Cancer EDGE Task Force Outcome Measure Rating Form. Results: The search located 187 articles, with 54 articles retained for quality assessment of balance measures. The Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale and gait speed were highly recommended (rated 4). Balance Evaluation Systems Test, Timed Up and Go, and Five Times Sit to Stand were recommended (rated 3). Limitations: Selection bias is possible. Samples and settings across reviewed studies were widely heterogeneous. Conclusions: We recommend 5 balance measures for use in adult cancer survivors. Future research with existing balance measures should establish norms, responsiveness, and predictive validity for fall risk, while expanding to focus on imbalance in midlife survivors. Patient-reported outcome measures are needed for cancer-related imbalance.