Objective. This paper describes the Italian translation and adaptation to the Italian culture of the original version of the Jebsen-Taylor hand function test and conveys the procedure for testing its validity and reliability. Design. The cultural adaptation process and validation were based on data from a group of people with no clinical evidence of disease or impairment of the upper limbs. The process required a forward and reverse translation in its original language. The scale obtained was reviewed by 8 experts in the field of psychometrics dealing with statistical methods that are useful for the behavioral and social sciences. The Italian adapted version of the JTHFT was then produced and validated. Participants. The test was submitted to 320 people with no clinical evidence of disease in order to test its acceptability and consistency. Results. The total time required to perform each subtest was 80.16 ± 43.13 seconds for the nondominant hand (NDH) and 49.97 ± 27.28 seconds for the dominant hand (DH). The internal consistency (assessed with Pearson's r) and the reliability or the construct validity (assessed with Cronbach's alpha) are significative. Conclusions. This is the first study reporting the result of the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation protocols of the JTHFT in Italian. It provides a new tool for Italian professionals to measure the functionality of the hand in participants with various upper limb pathologies.

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.

PURPOSE:The aim of this study was to evaluate the internal consistency and validity of the Italian version of the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT-IT) in Italian post-stroke adults with chronic hemiplegia or hemiparesis. METHODS: The test's internal consistency and validity were assessed by following international guidelines. Its internal consistency was examined using Cronbach's alpha (␣) coefficient. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated for concurrent validity in comparison with a dynamometer instrument, whereas for construct validity, it was calculated in comparison with the mean execution time of the Wolf Motor Function Test time subscale (WMFT-IT-TIME). RESULTS: The test was administrated to 48 people with chronic stroke. Cronbach's alpha reported a value of 0.96 for the dominant hand and 0.92 for the non-dominant hand. To define the validity of the scale, Pearson's correlation as measured using the WMFT-IT-TIME, and the dynamometer showed statistically significant results. CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports the use of the JTHFT-IT as a measure of hand functionality in post-stroke adults with chronic hemiplegia or hemiparesis. 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.

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