Fugl-Meyer Assessment – Upper Extremity (FMA-UE)
A 33-item scale measuring upper extremity motor recovery after stroke.
By Claire White
- Clinician-administered; approximately 30 minutes for the upper extremity section.
- 33 items covering shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, and coordination.
- Each item scored 0 (cannot perform), 1 (partial), or 2 (complete). Total 0 to 66.
What it measures
The FMA-UE assesses motor function in the upper extremity after stroke based on Brunnstrom stages of motor recovery. Items progress from reflexes through synergy movements to isolated joint motions, wrist stability, and hand dexterity. Coordination and speed are also tested. The scale captures the full range from severe impairment to near-normal function.
What the result tells you
Total scores (0 to 66) indicate upper extremity impairment severity. Higher scores indicate less impairment. The scale is sensitive to change in motor rehabilitation trials and is used as a primary or secondary endpoint in upper-limb stroke research, including robot-assisted therapy and non-invasive brain stimulation studies.
Used for
Evidence, psychometrics and provenance
Psychometrics
Reliability on a 0 to 1 scale. Higher indicates greater agreement.
- Minimum detectable change
- 6 to 7 points
References
This assessment uses a validated instrument and is reference information, not a diagnosis.