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Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT)

Method to quantify upper extremity motor ability

Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT)

The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) is a standardized assessment of upper extremity function in individuals with neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. The test was developed by Steven Wolf and colleagues in the 1990s [1] and has been widely used in research and clinical settings to evaluate the progress of rehabilitation and to set goals for therapy.

The WMFT consists of 17 items that measure fine and gross motor abilities, including grasping, reaching, and manipulating objects. The test is divided into two parts: the first part measures the individual's ability to grasp and manipulate small objects, such as a coin or a button, and the second part measures the individual's ability to reach and grasp larger objects, such as a cup or a book. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 (unable to perform the task) to 5 (able to perform the task without difficulty). The total score ranges from 0 to 70, with higher scores indicating better function[2].

The test can be administered by a trained healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist or occupational therapist, and typically takes around 15-20 minutes to complete. The WMFT has been found to be a reliable and valid measure of upper extremity function. It has been used in various population including stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.

The WMFT is a commonly used outcome measure in research studies and clinical practice. It is easy to administer, score, and interpret. It has been used in a variety of different languages and cultures.


  1. Steven L. Wolf, Pamela A. Catlin, Michael Ellis, Audrey Link Archer, Bryn Morgan, and Aimee Piacentino. (2001) Assessing Wolf Motor Function Test as Outcome Measure for Research in Patients After Stroke. Stroke. 2001;32: 1635–1639. doi ↩︎

  2. Sabrina Figueiredo, Nicol Korner-Bitensky, and Gabriel Plumier. (2011) Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) url ↩︎