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Table 2 Recommendations for assessment procedures

From: European evidence-based recommendations for clinical assessment of upper limb in neurorehabilitation (CAULIN): data synthesis from systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus

Procedure

Practice guidelines

Expert consensus

Duration, frequency and timing of assessments

Stroke: Screen for impairment, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and environmental factors to direct treatment on admission and on transfer from hospital to community

Stroke: Assessment within 48 h including: function, safety, physical readiness, and ability to learn and participate in rehabilitation

Stroke: Medical and global outcomes, impairment and activity early post stroke, at 3 months and ideally at 6 and 12-months’ post stroke

Stroke: Early assessment and planning of discharge

Spinal Cord Injury: Pain, motor and sensory dysfunction assessment should be carried out within 24–48 h of admission and prior to discharge

Stroke: NIHSS performed by trained, certified assessors within the first 24 h, and consider re-assessing prior to discharge from acute care

Stroke: Measure at predefined times to monitor recovery e.g., within one week of admission and discharge (or when transferring care) end of the 1st week, 3rd and 6th month post-stroke. Consider measures before each multidisciplinary meeting

Assessments should take no longer than three hours (92% agreement by clinicians)

Four face-to-face patient assessments per treatment programme: beginning, during and end, and at a set period of time after the end of the programme

Except for data collected automatically by technology (100% agreement for clinical practice)

Assessment should take place separately from treatment (96% agreement by clinicians)

Person who should conduct assessments

Stroke: Clinicians should be trained in the use of measurement scales

Stroke: Healthcare professionals who have appropriate skills and training

Stroke: Assessment conducted by specialist staff

Stroke: Recommends multi-disciplinary medical assessment

Multiple Sclerosis: Assessment should be conducted by a “healthcare professional with appropriate expertise in rehabilitation and MS”

Stroke: Standardized rater training needs to be developed

Stroke: Multi-disciplinary team assessment should be undertaken to establish the patient’s rehabilitation needs and goals