Discriminant validity of a new measure of self-efficacy for reaching movements after stroke-induced hemiparesis

Study design: Case-control study. Introduction: After stroke, difficulties in motor control mediate spontaneous paretic arm use in real life. Along with the obvious motor impairments, self-efficacy has been shown to be an important modifier for physical function. However, a self-efficacy measure for arm reaching is lacking. The aim of this study was to develop such a measure and to examine its validity. Methods: Fifteen participants with hemiparesis and ten control participants were recruited. A measure of reaching self-efficacy (RSE) was developed using a two-dimensional center-out target array. Results: For the control group, RSE was significantly correlated with target distance (r = -0.657) and location (r = -0.545), respectively. Additionally, average RSE was lower for the non-dominant than the dominant hand (p < 0.001). More importantly, for the stroke group, RSE was significantly correlated with target distance (r = -0.603) and location (r = -0.378), respectively. Finally, average RSE was lower for the paretic than the non-paretic hand (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results demonstrate robust discriminant validity for this new measure of reaching self-efficacy. Level of evidence: 3b. (C) 2013 Hanley & Belfus, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.