Objective performance-based outcome measures (OMs) have the potential to provide unbiased and reproducible assessments of limb function. However, very few of these performance-based OMs have been validated for upper limb (UL) prosthesis users. OMs validated in other clinical populations (eg, neurologic or musculoskeletal conditions) could be used to fill gaps in existing performance-based OMs for UL amputees. Additionally, a joint review might reveal consistent gaps across multiple clinical populations. Therefore, the objective of this review was to systematically characterize prominent measures used in both sets of clinical populations with regard to (1) location of task performance around the body, (2) possible grips employed, (3) bilateral versus unilateral task participation, and (4) details of scoring mechanisms. A systematic literature search was conducted in EMBASE, Medline, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health electronic databases for variations of the following terms: stroke, musculoskeletal dysfunction, amputation, prosthesis, upper limb, outcome, assessments. Articles were included if they described performance-based OMs developed for disabilities of the UL. Results show most tasks were performed with 1 hand in the space directly in front of the participant. The tip, tripod, and cylindrical grips were most commonly used for the specific tasks. Few measures assessed sensation and movement quality. Overall, several limitations in OMs were identified. The solution to these limitations may be to modify and validate existing measures originally developed for other clinical populations as first steps to more aptly measure prosthesis use while more complete assessments for UL prosthesis users are being developed.

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Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can be used to evaluate perceived capacity of an individual in executing tasks in a natural environment with their prosthetic device. According to the World Health Organization International Classification of Health, Functioning, and Disability (ICF) models, there may be specific factors of a person, factors of assistive prosthetic technology, or factors related to the health condition or body function that affect their functioning and disability. However, an understanding of factors affecting an upper limb prosthesis user's perception of their ability to execute tasks in a natural environment is not well established. Objective: To use the ICF model to identify which health condition-related, body function, environmental, and personal factors influence activity as measured by perceived function in the upper limb prosthesis user population. Design: Quantitative clinical descriptive study. Setting: Clinical offices within outpatient private practice (removed for blinding). Participants: A sample of 101 participants with upper limb amputation who use a prosthetic device and were undergoing a prosthesis fitting process. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: PROs on pain with/without a prosthesis, satisfaction, and perceived function derived from the Comprehensive Arm Prosthesis and Rehabilitation Outcomes Questionnaire. Results: Model coefficients indicate that with a unit increase in satisfaction (p < .001) and pain (p = .031) scores (with higher pain scores signifying less pain), the mean of perceived function increases by 0.66 and 0.47 units, respectively. Conversely, for individuals with elbow disarticulation, transhumeral, shoulder disarticulation, and interscapulothoracic amputations, the mean of perceived function decreases by 22.02 units (p = .006). Conclusions: Based on our sample, perceived function is significantly associated with satisfaction, pain, and amputation level. These findings could potentially help to inform initial clinical approach and targeted outcomes for patients based on these factors.

Objective To understand how perceived function relates to actual function at a specific stage in the rehabilitation process for the population using upper limb prostheses. Design Quantitative clinical descriptive study. Setting Clinical offices. Participants A sample of 61 participants (N=61; mean age, 43.0±12.8y; 51 male/10 female) with upper limb amputation who use a prosthetic device and were in the definitive stage of a prosthesis fitting process. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures A patient-reported outcome measure, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH), and 2 performance-based outcome measures, Box and Blocks Test (BBT) and Capacity Assessment of Prosthesis Performance for the Upper Limb (CAPPFUL), were used as variables in multiple linear regression models. Results The multiple linear regression models, which controlled for prosthesis type and amputation level, did not show evidence that changes in the independent variable (DASH) are significantly associated with changes in the dependent variables (log(BBT) ( B =−0.007; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.015 to 0.001; P =.0937) and CAPPFUL ( B =−0.083, 95% CI, −0.374 to 0.208; P =.5623)). In both models, individuals with elbow, transhumeral (above elbow), and shoulder disarticulation showed a significant negative association with the dependent variable (CAPPFUL or logBBT). In the CAPPFUL model, there was a significant negative association with individuals using a hybrid prosthesis ( B =−20.252; 95% CI, −36.562 to −3.942; P =.0170). In the logBBT model, there was a significant positive association with individuals using body-powered prostheses ( B =0.430; 95% CI, 0.089-0.771; P =.0157). Conclusions Although additional data and analyses are needed to more completely assess the association between self-reported measures and performance-based measures of functional abilities, these preliminary results indicate that patient-reported outcomes alone may not provide a complete assessment of an upper limb prosthesis users’ functional ability and should be accompanied by population-specific performance-based measures.

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