Objective

The Modified Frenchay Scale (MFS) measures active upper limb function in hemiparesis based on a video review of 10 everyday living tasks, each rated on a 10-point visual analogic scale. Six tasks are bimanual and four are unimanual performed with the paretic hand. We measured intra- and inter-rater reliability of MFS in hemiparetic patients among trained raters.

Material/patients and methods

After a group training session consisting in reviewing and commenting upon ten patient videos, 10 raters assessed the videos of 10 adults with chronic hemiparesis (age 52 ± 13, mean ± SD) on two occasions one week apart. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was assessed using interclass correlation coefficients, mean intra- and inter-rater differences, coefficients of variation between raters and the agreement frequency procedure, agreement being defined as a difference equal or less than 0.5 between two individual ratings.

Results

For the overall MFS scores, mean intra- and inter-rater ICC coefficients were respectively 0.99 [0.95; 1.00] (mean [95%CI]) and 0.98 [0.98; 1.00]. The mean intra-rater score difference between two ratings one-week apart was 0.26 ± 0.08 and the mean inter-rater standard deviation was 0.61 ± 0.17. Inter-rating differences of less than 0.5 were found in 86% of cases of intra-rater comparisons and in 52% of inter-rater comparisons. Mean inter-rater coefficient of variation was 0.11 ± 0.03.

Discussion – conclusion

After a group training session in using the scale, the Modified Frenchay Scale has excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability.