Development and Reliability of an Upper Extremity Function Test for the Elderly: The TEMPA

Accurate assessment of upper extremity performance is a critical element in determinimg the potential independance of the physically impaired person. An upper extremity function test for the elderly, the TEMPA (Test Évaluant les Membres supérieurs des Personnes Âgées), was developed, involving nine tasks related to routine daily activities. Each task is measured by three sub-scores: speed of execution, functional rating and task analysis. A test-retest and interrater reliability study was conducted with a sample of 29 subjects, aged 62 to 82 years, with various upper extremity impairments and varying degrees of functional independance. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from moderate to high (0.70 to 1.0), demonstrating temporal stability and sound agreement between evaluators. A preliminary construct validity study was conducted by correlating score of the TEMPA with functional independance to basic personal care (Spearman's Rho = 0.74). The TEMPA is a reliable instrument that appears to fill a void in the evaluation of the elderly. More psychometric studies are required to confirm its validity.

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Upper Extremity Function in Persons with Tetraplegia: Relationships Between Strength, Capacity, and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair ◽

10.1177/1545968308331143 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 413-421 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

Claudia Rudhe ◽

Hubertus J. A. van Hedel

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Upper Extremity ◽

Hand Function ◽

Self Care ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Extremity Function ◽

Strength Capacity ◽

Hand Muscle ◽

Upper Extremity Function

Objective. To quantify the relationship between the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III), arm and hand muscle strength, and hand function tests in persons with tetraplegia. Methods. A total of 29 individuals with tetraplegia (motor level between cervical 4 and thoracic 1; sensory-motor complete and incomplete) participated. The total score, category scores, and separate items of the SCIM III were compared to the upper extremity motor score (UEMS), an extended manual muscle test (MMT) for 11 upper extremity muscles, and 6 functional capacity tests of the hand. Spearman's correlation coefficients ( rs) and regression analyses were performed. Results. The SCIM III sum score correlated well with the sum scores of the 3 tests ( rs ≥ .76). The SCIM III self-care category correlated better with the tests ( rs ≥ .80) compared to the other categories ( r s ≤ .72). The SCIM III self-care item “grooming” highly correlated with muscle strength and hand capacity items ( rs ≥ .80). A combination of hand muscle tests and the key grasping task explained over 90% of the variability in the self-care category scores. Conclusions. The SCIM III self-care category reflects upper extremity performance as it contains especially useful and valid items that relate to upper extremity function and capacity tests.

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A smartphone sensor-based digital outcome assessment of multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/13524585211028561 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135245852110285

Author(s):

Xavier Montalban ◽

Jennifer Graves ◽

Luciana Midaglia ◽

Patricia Mulero ◽

Laura Julian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Upper Extremity ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Static Balance ◽

Balance Test ◽

Passive Monitoring ◽

Extremity Function ◽

Upper Extremity Function

Background: Sensor-based monitoring tools fill a critical gap in multiple sclerosis (MS) research and clinical care. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess performance characteristics of the Floodlight Proof-of-Concept (PoC) app. Methods: In a 24-week study (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02952911), smartphone-based active tests and passive monitoring assessed cognition (electronic Symbol Digit Modalities Test), upper extremity function (Pinching Test, Draw a Shape Test), and gait and balance (Static Balance Test, U-Turn Test, Walk Test, Passive Monitoring). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and age- or sex-adjusted Spearman’s rank correlation determined test–retest reliability and correlations with clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcome measures, respectively. Results: Seventy-six people with MS (PwMS) and 25 healthy controls were enrolled. In PwMS, ICCs were moderate-to-good (ICC(2,1) = 0.61–0.85) across tests. Correlations with domain-specific standard clinical disability measures were significant for all tests in the cognitive ( r = 0.82, p < 0.001), upper extremity function (|r|= 0.40–0.64, all p < 0.001), and gait and balance domains ( r = −0.25 to −0.52, all p < 0.05; except for Static Balance Test: r = −0.20, p > 0.05). Most tests also correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale, 29-item Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale items or subscales, and/or normalized brain volume. Conclusion: The Floodlight PoC app captures reliable and clinically relevant measures of functional impairment in MS, supporting its potential use in clinical research and practice.

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Korean Upper Extremity Performance Test for the Elderly: Normative Data and Characteristics of Upper Extremity Function of Adults and Older Adults

American Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.5014/ajot.2018.72s1-po8003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 72 (4_Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 7211500064p1

Author(s):

Chang Dae Lee

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Upper Extremity ◽

Normative Data ◽

Performance Test ◽

The Elderly ◽

Extremity Function ◽

Upper Extremity Function

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Effect of Standing on a Standardized Measure of Upper Extremity Function

OTJR Occupation Participation and Health ◽

10.1177/1539449220937058 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 153944922093705

Author(s):

Jill Campbell Stewart ◽

Ashley Saba ◽

Jessica F. Baird ◽

Melissa B. Kolar ◽

Michael O’Donnell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Upper Extremity ◽

Completion Time ◽

Hand Function ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Extremity Function ◽

Function Test ◽

Upper Extremity Function ◽

Standardized Measure ◽

The Right ◽

Insight Into

Although many daily activities that require the upper extremity are performed in standing, arm motor function is generally measured in sitting. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of standing on a measure of upper extremity function, the Jebsen Hand Function Test (JHFT). Twelve nondisabled adults (26.3 ± 3.1 years) completed the JHFT with the right and left arms under two conditions: sitting and standing. Total time to complete the JHFT increased when performed in standing compared with sitting in both arms ( p = .005); mean increase was 4.4% and 5.6% for the right and left arms, respectively. Checker stacking was the only subtest that showed a significant increase in completion time in standing for both arms ( p = .001); card turning showed an increase for the left arm only ( p = .002). Measurement of upper extremity function in standing may provide insight into arm motor capacity within the context of standing postural control demands.

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