[Adaptation and feasibility of the online version of the Fugl Meyer scale for the assessment of patients following cerebrovascular accidents].

introductionPatients who have suffered a chronic cerebrovascular accident or a stroke need long-term physiotherapy treatments. However, they have had to be stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To be able to offer these patients an online functional assessment, a proposal was put forward to design an adaptation of the Spanish version of the Fugl Meyer assessment scale and to test its viability. PATIENTS AND

methodsThe adapted online scale, based on the Fugl Meyer assessment scale. The motor function, balance and pain domains were kept, and items requiring assistance for the patient were removed. This scale was administered to 13 patients with a chronic cerebrovascular accident from the Salamanca Acquired Brain Injury Association (Asociacion de Dano Cerebral Adquirido) via different web platforms. The procedure followed was the same as for the original scale and lasted from 30 to 45 minutes.

resultsAll the patients completed the Fugl Meyer assessment scale, online version. The greatest difficulty was encountered in the assessment of the lower limbs. Patients and physiotherapists highlighted how easy it was to complete the items in the scale. On comparing the versions, statistically significant positive correlations were found with the original version (p < 0.001) and the correlation coefficients indicated a strong association. The difference between the equivalent sections of the scale in each instrument was no greater than 5%, except for balance.

conclusionThe Fugl Meyer assessment scale, online version, is a feasible, useful and easy to apply scale that allows assessment of the functional status of stroke patients and can help meet the current needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.