Examining Sex Differences in Relationships Between Subjective and Objective Measures of Upper Extremity Motor Impairment in a Sample of Stroke Survivors

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Rehabilitation professionals use subjective and objective outcome measures to assess stroke-related impact and impairment. Understanding if subjective and objective findings correlate among stroke survivors, especially if these associations differ between females and males, can inform care decisions. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional design was used, with data selected from subacute to chronic stroke survivors on age, time since stroke, the hand domain from the Stroke Impact Scale version 3.0 (SIS-H), and the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FMUE) Assessment. Group differences were assessed for all outcomes based on sex and time poststroke. Separate correlations for females and males were performed between the subjective (SIS-H) and objective measures (FMUE) of upper limb function and impairment. Results: Data from 148 participants (44 females) were included in this study. SIS-H was significantly correlated with FMUE in both females and males (Ps ≤ 0.001). No significant differences were found between the groups’ mean SIS-H or FMUE scores based on sex or time poststroke. Discussion and Conclusions: Subjective and objective measures of physical functioning were correlated in both females and males. Although we found no sex differences in our primary outcomes, the sample size of females was disproportionately lower than the males. This is consistent with an ongoing problem in the stroke recovery research field, where females are often underrepresented and understudied, and where females who experience higher levels of impairment are less likely to participate in research.