Active finger extension: a simple movement predicting recovery of arm function in patients with acute stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Early prognosis of arm recovery is a major clinical issue in stroke. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of 4 simple bedside tests. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with arm paresis/plegia were evaluated on days 7, 14, 30, 90 and 180 after stroke. Assessment included 4 potential predictors of arm recovery (active finger extension, shoulder abduction, shoulder shrug and hand movement scales) and 3 outcome measures evaluating arm function (Nine Hole Peg Test, Fugl-Meyer arm subtest, Motricity Index arm subtest). RESULTS: The active finger extension scale was the most powerful prognostic factor. Patients with active finger extension scores >3 had a high probability of achieving good performance as assessed by the Motricity Index. CONCLUSIONS: Active finger extension is a reliable early predictor of recovery of arm function in stroke patients.