There is little assessment to provide specific information about quality of bilateral upper extremity movement specifically. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Yonsei-Bilateral Activity Test (Y-BAT). An observational cross-sectional design was used with 100 stroke survivors. Unidimensionality was examined using factor analyses, and Rasch analysis was used to test rating scale structure, fit statistics, and precision of the Y-BAT. The Y-BAT demonstrated a unidimensional measurement construct, and 19 of the 27 items fit the Rasch model. The instrument demonstrated good precision, including person reliability and person strata. The Y-BAT estimated person measures within a wide range of theta values with a reliability of .9 with good precision. Our results indicate that a revised, 19-item version of the Y-BAT demonstrates sound internal validity and may be a useful instrument for clinicians to measure upper extremity function with good precision following stroke.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that may enhance motor recovery after stroke. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of tDCS combined with rehabilitation on arm and hand function after stroke. Electronic databases were searched from their inception to September 2021. We performed a systematic review of selected randomized controlled trials, and methodological qualities were measured using the PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) scale. We calculated the standardized mean difference for effect size using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0 software. We selected 28 studies for the systematic review and 20 studies for the meta-analysis. The overall effect size was 0.480 (95% CI [0.307; 0.653], p < 0.05), indicating a moderate effect size of tDCS combined with rehabilitation for upper extremity function in stroke survivors. The tDCS with occupational therapy/physical therapy (0.696; 95% CI [0.390; 1.003], p < 0.05) or virtual reality therapy (0.510; 95% CI [0.111; 0.909], p < 0.05) was also significantly more effective than other treatments. This meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials provides further evidence that tDCS combined with rehabilitation, especially occupational therapy/physical therapy and virtual reality therapy, may benefit upper extremity function of the paretic upper limb in stroke patients.