Upper-limb function and recovery in the acute phase poststroke

This study evaluates stroke patients with upper-limb (UL) motor deficits using measures of impairment and "activity limitation" to quantify recovery of UL function poststroke and to identify predictors of UL function and predictors of UL recovery following stroke. The study also compares the recovery of UL function with that of the lower limb (LL). Measures of impairment and "activity limitation" of the UL and LL improved over the first 5 weeks. The Box and Block Test performance improved the most over 5 weeks (standardized response mean SRM = 1.34), followed closely by the 5-meter walk test (SRM = 0.97). Performances on measures of UL "activity limitation" measured at 1 week poststroke were the most important predictors of UL function 5 weeks poststroke. The results of this study do not support the belief that recovery of LL function is faster than that of UL.