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There is a lack of consistency among researchers and clinicians in the use of terminology that describes changes in motor ability following neurological injury. Specifically, the terms and definitions of motor compensation and motor recovery have been used in different ways, which is a potential barrier to interdisciplinary communication. This Point of View describes the problem and offers a solution in the form of definitions of compensation and recovery at the neuronal, motor performance, and functional levels within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning model.

Background and Purpose-The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) is a new time-based method to evaluate upper extremity performance while providing insight into joint-specific and total limb movements. This study addresses selected psychometric attributes of the WMFT applied to a chronic stroke population. Methods-Nineteen individuals after stroke and with intact cognition and sitting balance were age-and sex-matched with 19 individuals without impairment. Subjects performed the WMFT and the upper extremity portion of the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA) on 2 occasions (12 to 16 days apart), with scoring performed independently by 2 random raters. WMFT and FMA demonstrated agreement (PϽ0.0001) between raters at each session. WMFT scores for the dominant and nondominant extremities of individuals without impairment were different (PՅ0.05) from the more and less affected extremities of subjects after stroke. The FMA score for the more affected extremity of subjects after stroke was different (PՅ0.05) from the dominant and nondominant extremities. However, the FMA score for the less affected upper extremity of individuals after stroke was not different (PϾ0.05) from the dominant and nondominant extremities of individuals without impairment. The WMFT and FMA scores were related (PϽ0.02) for the more affected extremity in individuals after stroke. Conclusions-The interrater reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity of the WMFT, as used in these subject samples, are supported. Key Words: arm Ⅲ motor activity Ⅲ psychometrics Ⅲ stroke M any upper extremity motor function outcome measures do not produce data that provide obvious links between the basis for planning treatment and the emergent plan for functional restitution. The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) quantifies upper extremity movement ability through timed single-or multiple-joint motions and functional tasks. 1 The tasks are arranged in order of complexity, progress from proximal to distal joint involvement, test total extremity movement and movement speed, and require few tools and minimal training for test execution. Results-TheThe present study establishes the reliability and validity of the WMFT. The scores from the WMFT and the upper extremity portion of the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA) were compared to investigate the criterion validity of the WMFT. The FMA was chosen as the criterion test because it focuses on multijoint upper extremity function in patients after stroke and is reliable 2 and valid. 3,4 Yet the FMA is difficult to use and examines synergy patterns that no longer form the basis for many functionally oriented treatments. Subjects and Methods SubjectsForty-seven subjects were recruited by convenience sampling in this repeated-measures design study. Twenty-one subjects had sustained a stroke. All subjects participating were between the ages of 42 and 76 years. Nineteen subjects after stroke (mean age 61.4Ϯ9.5 years, mean time from stroke 4.9Ϯ6.4 years, range 0.67 to 29 years) and 19 individuals without impairments (mean age 60...

A moderate TC intervention can impact favorably on defined biomedical and psychosocial indices of frailty. This intervention can also have favorable effects upon the occurrence of falls. Tai Chi warrants further study as an exercise treatment to improve the health of older people.