The discriminative power of the Wolf motor function test in assessing upper extremity functions in persons with stroke

The Wolf motor function test is a new time-based method to evaluate upper extremity function both on a joint-specific level and on total limb movements, while performing some functional tasks. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the discriminating power of the Wolf motor function test in classifying individuals with stroke into different levels according to Brunnstrom's stages of recovery. Discriminant analysis was used and the results showed that the Wolf motor function test can classify 86.7% of original grouped cases into the correct groupings. A high correlation was found between the Wolf motor function test, the Brunnstrom stages of recovery and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment. The Wolf motor function test is found to be an instrument capable of discriminating the upper extremity motor function of the individuals with stroke into different functional groups.