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

This paper addresses the need for standardized outcome measures in neurorehabilitation, particularly for the upper limb, to improve the quality and comparability of clinical practice and research. The study synthesizes existing evidence, clinical practice guidelines, and expert consensus to create European recommendations for Clinical Assessment of Upper Limb In Neurorehabilitation (CAULIN). The CAULIN recommendations provide a three-level structure (core, extended, and supplementary sets) for selecting appropriate outcome measures based on the strength of evidence and clinical utility.

• 1
  The core set of recommended outcome measures includes the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT).
• 2
  The extended set includes kinematic measures, Box and Block Test (BBT), Chedoke Arm Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) and ABILHAND.
• 3
  Assessments should be conducted at regular intervals during rehabilitation, with global measures applied within 24 hours of hospital admission and upper limb specific measures within 1 week.