[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the inter- and intra-rater reliability and validity
of the modified functional ambulation category (mFAC) scale. [Subjects and Methods] The
participants were 66 stroke patients with hemiparalysis. The inter- and intra-rater
validity of the mFAC was calculated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. A score
comparison of the stable or maximum gait speed with regard to mFAC and modified Rivermead
Mobility Index (mRMI) performances was performed as a univariate linear regression
analysis to determine how the Kruskal-Wallis test affects the mRMI and stable/maximum gait
speed with regard to mFAC. [Results] The inter-rater reliability of the mFAC (intraclass
coefficient [ICC]) was 0.982 (0.971–0.989), with a kappa coefficient of 0.923 and a
consistency ratio of 94%. In contrast, the intra-rater reliability of the mFAC (ICC) was
0.991 (0.986–0.995), with a kappa coefficient of 0.961 and a consistency ratio of 96%,
showing higher reliability. Moreover, there was a significant difference in stable/maximum
gait speed between the mFAC and the mRMI. [Conclusion] Since the mFAC has sufficient
inter- and intra-reliability and high validity, it can be used as an assessment tool that
reflects the gait performance and mobility of stroke patients.
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