The unreliability of sensory assessments

TLDR

The study investigated the intra‑ and inter‑rater reliability of a standardized sensory impairment assessment. The study evaluated 20 home‑based stroke patients twice by the same physiotherapist, 20 in‑hospital patients by two physiotherapists, and 25 patients by a physiotherapist and a doctor. Results showed good within‑rater consistency over time but poor inter‑rater agreement across physiotherapists and between physiotherapists and doctors, indicating unreliable sensory assessments after stroke.

Abstract

The intra- and inter-rater reliability of a standardized assessment of sensory impairment were investigated. Twenty stroke patients were assessed at home by the same physiotherapist on two occasions. There was good consistency overtime on most items. Twenty patients in hospital were assessed by two physiotherapists. The results indicate poor agreement between assessors. Twenty-five patients were assessed by a physiotherapist and a doctor. Results indicate low agreement between these assessors. Results indicate poor inter-rater reliability on a standardized assessment. It is suggested that this may also be a problem for clinical assessments of sensory impairment after stroke.