Purpose] To evaluate the severity of symptoms before and after cervical myelopathy surgery using the Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function. Because a test ceiling effect was observed in patients with less severe forms of myelopathy, we investigated the correlation between and accuracy of several different tests in order to clarify the usefulness of the Purdue Pegboard Test for evaluation of one or both hands. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-four patients (6 females and 28 males; mean age, 64.5 years) were examined, and scores were determined for each of the following tests: Purdue Pegboard Test; Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function; Japanese Orthopedic Association assessment; and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand assessment. Correlations between scores of different tests were then determined. The cut-off values used for the Purdue Pegboard Test and the Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function were determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to assess the use of chopsticks.[Results] The Purdue Pegboard Test assembly task correlated moderately with the Japanese Orthopedic Association and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, the Purdue Pegboard Test cut-off value was 11 and the Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function cut-off value was 90.[Conclusion] The Purdue Pegboard Test is useful for evaluating manual dexterity and coordination in both hands in patients with cervical myelopathy.

The modified STEF is a reliable measurement tool, with a moderate positive correlation with the PPT and a greater responsiveness than the STEF and PPT.

Introduction: Despite widespread use of the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function, we were unable to find studies to affirm the validity and responsiveness in patients with trauma and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the criterion validity and responsiveness of the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function, a tool which is widely used in Japan. Methods: Thirty patients between the ages of 20 and 82 years with distal radius fracture (n ¼ 10), and cervical spondylosis myelopathy (n ¼ 20) were included in this study. Concurrent validity was tested by examining the correlation between Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function, the Purdue Pegboard Test, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire. In addition, standardized response means were calculated to compare the responsiveness of the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function with Purdue Pegboard Test and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand. Results: The correlation coefficient between Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function and Purdue Pegboard Test was 0.70, and the correlation between Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand was À0.55 (p < 0.05). Standardized response mean shows that the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (0.69) is more responsive than the Purdue Pegboard Test (0.53), and less responsive than Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (0.97). Conclusions: The Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function demonstrates concurrent validity and responsiveness as a performance based assessment of dexterity in patients with distal radius fracture and cervical spondylosis. We conclude that the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function could be used as a measure of dexterity or clinical change after therapy intervention. The Purdue Pegboard Test may be used for patients with an occupation that requires integrated fine motor skills and bimanual activity, whereas the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function may be more suitable for patients who use a variety of unilateral grips such as pinch and span. The Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand can complement each other when measuring someone's activity and participation level.