Measurement properties of the Brazilian version of the Motor Assessment Scale, based on Rasch analysis

Abstract

Purpose: To cross-culturally adapt and verify the measurement properties of the Brazilian version of the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS).

Methods: The process of cross-cultural adaptation followed standardized procedures. Construct validity of the MAS was investigated using Rasch analysis (n = 100), whereas inter-rater and test–retest reliabilities were evaluated using Kappa coefficients and Bland and Altman plots (n = 52).

Results: The MAS demonstrated satisfactory measurement properties. The Kappa coefficients for the inter-rater and test–retest reliabilities were 0.73 (ranging from 0.79 to 1.00) and 0.82 (ranging from 0.86 to 1.00), respectively. The Bland and Altman plots showed adequate inter-rater and test–retest agreements. No ceiling or floor effects were observed and only one item exhibited misfit to the Rasch model expectations. Item 4 “sitting to standing” exhibited marginal misfit (infit MnSq = 1.44; Zstd = 2.6), but it did not affect the unidimensionality of the scale.

Conclusions: The MAS demonstrated good indicators of validity and reliability to be used for the assessment of motor function of individuals with stroke within clinical and research contexts.

Implications for rehabilitation

• The Motor Assessment Scale is a performance-based scale for the assessment of motor function of individuals with stroke, based on a task-oriented approach.

• The Motor Assessment Scale has shown good clinical utility indicators dues to its quick administration, objectivity, and clinical relevance as a functional predictor.

• The Motor Assessment Scale showed good indicators of validity and reliability to be used within clinical and research contexts for the evaluation of motor function of individuals after stroke.

Keywords:

• Stroke
• cross-cultural adaptation
• reliability
• Rasch analysis

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank you the coordination for the improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES) for the scholarship.