FuglMeyer

Fugl-Meyer Assessment, often abbreviated as FMA, is a stroke-specific, performance-based impairment scale used to quantify motor recovery and impairment after a stroke. It was developed in the 1970s by Swedish physical therapists including Axel Fugl-Meyer and colleagues, and has since become one of the most widely used instruments in both clinical practice and research for assessing motor function, sensation, balance, joint range of motion, and reflex activity.

The instrument comprises multiple domains: motor function (divided into upper and lower extremities), sensory function, balance, joint range of motion, and reflexes. Items are rated on a three-point scale: 0 for inability to perform, 1 for partial performance, and 2 for normal performance. Domain scores are summed to yield a composite score, with the motor domain specifically split into upper- and lower-extremity sections.

FMA has been subject to extensive validation, showing good reliability, validity, and responsiveness in stroke populations. It is used to establish baseline impairment, monitor changes over time, and evaluate treatment effects in clinical trials. The scale has been translated into many languages and is available in several versions, including an upper-extremity–focused form (FMA-UE) and variations for different patient groups or research settings.

While respected for its detail and sensitivity to motor impairment, the FMA can be lengthy to administer and requires trained raters to ensure consistency. Some critiques note limited sensitivity to milder impairments and functional outcomes. Despite these considerations, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment remains a standard reference tool in stroke rehabilitation and related neurorehabilitation research.