Introduction: In rheumatoid arthritis, a reduction in hand function can lead to a decrease in health, with a consequent limitation of daily life activities and restriction in social participation. Evaluation plays a decisive role in the functional recovery process and in rehabilitation programs. The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test is one of the most widely used non-diagnosis-specific assessment tools in rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the intra-rater and interrater reliability and concurrent validity of the Italian version of the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT-IT) in a population with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The test's reliability and validity were assessed by following international guidelines. Its internal consistency and intra-and inter-rater reliability were examined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient, respectively. Its concurrent validity was evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient with a dynamometer instrument. Results: The test was given to 108 people with rheumatoid arthritis. Cronbach's alpha reported a value of 0.91 for the dominant hand and 0.87 for the non-dominant hand. Intra-and inter-rater reliability were evaluated with a subgroup of 30 individuals. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.46 to 1.00 in the dominant and non-dominant hands. Pearson's correlation between subtests and the dynamometer ranged from-0.14 to-0.59. Conclusions: The present study supports the use of the JTHFT-IT as a measure of hand functionality in people with rheumatoid arthritis. It is an important tool for Italian professionals and it can be useful both in clinical practice to evaluate improvement after rehabilitation treatments and for research in hand rehabilitation.

Importance: Having a test to evaluate hand function is fundamental to occupational therapy practice. Objective: To assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Three health care institutions in Rome, Italy. Participants: 136 people with injuries, burns, or neurological diseases of the hand. Intervention: No intervention was provided. Outcomes and Measures: We administered the JTHFT, an assessment of fine motor skills during performance of activities of daily living, and compared results with dynamometer readings. Results: The mean ± standard deviation total time required to perform all subtests was 89.47 ± 67.98 s for the dominant hand (DH) and 167.11 ± 257.58 s for the nondominant hand (NDH). Reliability procedures were applied to data from 51 participants; mean intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was .814 for the DH and .981 for the NDH, and mean interrater ICC was .818 for the DH and .821 for the NDH. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were significant. Conclusion and Relevance: Results support the use of the Italian version of the JTHFT as a measure of functional dexterity in people with upper limb disorders. What This Article Adds: The JTHFT is a valid and reliable assessment tool for nonspecific hand diseases. Italian health professionals can now use the JTHFT with more confidence.

This paper describes the validation process of the Italian version of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Scale (ITRAPS), describing its translation and adaptation to Italian culture. The cultural adaptation and validation were based on data from a sample of people affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The process required a forward and backward translation of the original language, reviewed by an expert panel. The adapted version of the RAPS was then tested on a community and clinical sample, in order to test its psychometric properties. The IT-RAPS was submitted to 122 people affected by RA. The data was analyzed using Cronbach’s coefficient alpha and the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients. The IT-RAPS showed an internal consistency reliability coefficient of 0.96. This is the first study reporting the validation and cross-cultural adaptation of the RAPS in Italian. The study’s findings provided support for the IT-RAPS as a reliable and valid measurement of multidimensional pain in RA patients.