Validation of the lithuanian version of the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale the part of the lower extremity motor performance in patients with stroke

Object: the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale the part of the lower extremity motor performance and it validation in lithuanian language. Subject: A stroke is a major public health problem. The most frequent result leading stroke is the disorder of the limb motion control. About 72 percent of stroke patients have lower extremity motor function disorders. According The World Health Organization rehabilitation effectiveness assessment must include all areas affected by the disease. It is important to note that the results of stroke rehabilitation outcome measures should be systematically described and classified in an appropriate way. There are two types of instruments for rehabilitation effectiveness assessment for the patients with stroke in Lithuania. One of them assess daily living activities and the other assess psychological functions. However there are no instrument officially applied for evaluation of the motor disfunctions. According to scientific literature articles, one of the most reliable and valid scale of affected lower extremity true recovery, is Fugl – Meyer Assessment scale the part of the lower extremity motor performance. Aim: to present the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale the part of the lower extremity motor performance and assess it validation in lithuanian language. Goals: 1. To investigate the instruments using for assessment of the lower extremity motor function in patients with stroke in Lithuania and to compare with other countries practices. 2. To ascertain and to put into practice the process of a translation into a native language. 3. To evaluate the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale the part of the lower extremity motor performance evaluation criteria (reliability and validity). Hypothesis: the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale the part of the lower extremity motor performance is suitable for using in Lithuanian language. Findings: 1. There is no instruments officially used to investigate the patients after the head brain stroke the part of the lower limb motor function evaluation in Lithuania, but in the world the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale the part of the lower extremity motor performance is used to evaluate this field. 2. The process of the translation into native language was ascertain and put into practice –final protocol in Lithuanian language was made. 3. The Fugl-Meyer assessment scale the part of the lower extremity motor performance results of the evaluation criteria (reliability and validity) is suitable for the process of the instrument adaptation in the native language requirements – the scale is appropriate to adapt the Lithuanian language. Recommendations: Adapt the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale the part of the lower extremity motor performance for officially used in Lithuania: • evaluate more patients (50-150); • the process of the scale validation put in to scientific medicine literature