
Introduction: The Brunnstrom Recovery Stages (BRS) are widely used to assess motor recovery of the hand; however, evidence regarding their ability to predict functional hand performance remains limited. Linking motor recovery stages with activity-level outcomes aligned with the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework and performance-based tests is essential for clinical decision-making. Purpose of the Study: To determine the predictive validity of BRS hand for functional activities measured by ICF hand activity codes and the Sollerman Hand Function Test (SHFT) in patients with stroke. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 48 subacute and chronic stroke patients selected using convenient sampling from a tertiary healthcare center. Hand motor recovery was assessed using Brunnstrom Recovery Stages for hand. Functional hand performance was evaluated using ICF activity qualifiers (d4400–d4403: picking up, grasping, manipulating, releasing) and SHFT. Assessments were performed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic data. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to analyze relationships between BRS-hand and functional measures. Results: Strong positive correlations were observed between BRS-hand and SHFT (r = 0.91–0.92). Strong negative correlations were found between BRS-hand and ICF hand activity codes (r = –0.87 to –0.92), reflecting better function with higher BRS stages. Conclusion: Brunnstrom Recovery Stages of hand demonstrate strong predictive validity for functional hand performance measured by ICF activity codes and SHFT. BRS-hand can serve as a simple and clinically useful indicator of functional hand recovery in stroke rehabilitation.
Hand function, Prediction, Brunnstrom stage, ICF code, Sollerman hand function test.
Hand function, Prediction, Brunnstrom stage, ICF code, Sollerman hand function test.
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