Which method helps to assess voluntary movement recovery in stroke patients?

The Fugl-Meyer Assessment is a comprehensive tool specifically designed to evaluate motor function, balance, sensation, and joint function in individuals who have experienced a stroke. This assessment is particularly valuable in understanding the extent of voluntary movement recovery by providing detailed insights into how well a person can control movements in their affected limbs.

The assessment includes a series of tasks that measure different aspects of motor recovery, allowing clinicians to track improvements over time and determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions. By focusing on movement quality and the ability to perform specific actions, it gives a nuanced picture of a stroke patient's recovery status.

Other tools listed, such as heart rate variability and simple reaction tests, do not specifically assess voluntary movement recovery. While grip strength tests can provide useful information about strength in the hands, they do not capture the broader spectrum of motor function recovery which is critical after a stroke. Therefore, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment stands out as the most relevant and effective method for assessing voluntary movement recovery in stroke patients.