A postural adaptation test for stroke patients

Purpose : To explore the interrater reliability of the Advanced Mobility and Balance Scale (AMBS) and to determine its discriminative capacity in stroke patients. Methods : Twelve hemiparetic patients and six healthy elderly volunteers were videotaped while: (1) executing rapid head motions during standing and walking; and (2) standing and walking on a slope. Five physical therapists viewed the videotapes to establish interrater reliability. Results : Interrater reliability: Intraclass correlation ratios ranged from 0.93-0.97 for the AMBS global as well as slope and head turn subscores. Construct validity: One-way ANOVAs and post-hoc pairwise comparisons were performed to determine whether there was a difference in scores between high (HFL) and low functional-level (LFL) stroke patients (based on gait speed) and healthy subjects. Mean ( &#45 SD) global scores were 45 &#45 3 for healthy subjects, 40 &#45 9 for HFL stroke patients and 25 &#45 1 for LFL stroke patients ( p