Parallel-forms Reliability and Minimal Detectable Change of the Four Telerehabilitation Version Mobility-related Function Scales in Stroke Survivors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the parallel-forms reliability, minimal detectable change (MDC95 ), and feasibility of the four telerehabilitation version mobility-related function scales: Fugl-Meyer Assessment-lower extremity subscale (Tele-FMA-LE), Berg Balance Scale (Tele-BBS), Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment-Gait subscale (Tele-POMA-G), and Rivermead Mobility Index (Tele-RMI).

DESIGN: Reliability and agreement study and cross-sectional study.

SETTING: Medical center.

PARTICIPANTS: Stroke survivors' ability to independently walk 3 meters with assistive devices, age of ≥18 for participants and their partners, stable physical condition, and absence of cognitive impairment.

INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Parallel-forms reliability and MDC95 of Tele-FMA-LE, Tele-BBS, Tele-POMA-G, and Tele-RMI.

RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed among the mean scores of the telerehabilitation version and face-to-face version mobility-related function scales. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) indicated good reliability for most scales, with Tele-FMA-LE, Tele-BBS, and Tele-RMI scores achieving values of 0.81, 0.78, and 0.84. Tele-POMA-G scores demonstrated moderate reliability (ICC = 0.72). Weighted kappa (κw) showed good to excellent reliability for most individual items (κw > 0.60). The MDC of the Tele-FMA-LE, Tele-BBS, Tele-POMA-G, and Tele-RMI were 5.84, 8.10, 2.74, and 1.31, respectively. Bland-Altman analysis showed adequate agreement between tele-assessment and face-to-face assessment for all scales. The five dimensions affirm the robust feasibility of tele-assessment: assessment time, subjective fatigue perception, overall preference, participant satisfaction, and system usability.

CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates good parallel-forms reliability, minimal detectable change, and promising feasibility of the four telerehabilitation version mobility-related function scales (Tele-FMA-LE, Tele-BBS, Tele-POMA-G, and Tele-RMI) in stroke survivors.