Translation and Transcultural Adaptation of the Arm Activity Measure (ArmA) and Motor Activity Log (MAL)

Overview

Upper limb impairment occurs in approximately 70 to 80 per cent of adults post stroke. These impairments will have consequences on functional performance in activities of daily living and hence quality of life. Assessment of upper limb function is a component of rehabilitation that contributes to the selection of optimal interventions according to patient individualized needs. The Arm Activity Measure (ArmA) provides a standardized assessment of upper limb passive and active perceived performance that is only available in it's English version. The aim of this study is to translate and conduct a cross-cultural adaptation of the ArmA is order to investigate its psychometric properties through a validation study among stroke patients.

Assessment of the upper limb post-stroke should be standardized and holistic, representative of multidimensional consequences according the International Classification of Function and Disability (CIF). Measures should demonstrate established psychometric properties, in terms of validity, reproducibility and responsiveness to change. The ArmA allows standardized measurement of both passive and active functions of the upper limb in terms of perceived performance under the activity level of the CIF. To date there is no measure that allows assessment of both upper limb functions of perceived performance in the French language. Prior to this study, a translation and cross-cultural adaptation (TCCA) of the ArmA was performed in accordance with study objectives and identified gap in the literature. TCCA was conducted in accordance with guidelines for subjective outcome measures contributing to evidence-based practice (Beaton et al., 2000). A six-step translation procedure for self-reported outcome measures was relevant of clinical use in a foreign language. A multidisciplinary team ensured a forwards-backwards translation and cross-cultural adaptation. An observational, single-center, cross-sectional study design will be implemented to determine the psychometric properties of the French ArmA. Participants will be from a post-stroke rehabilitation service (as part of their usual care). For the analysis of reliability properties, participants will be hospitalized as part of routine care and participation in the protocol (T0, T1 and T2 assessments) will add 1 to 2 hours of assessment to routine care. Assessors will be trained Occupational Therapists having participated in the development of the measure.