Evaluation of intra- and inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity of the Italian version of the Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test in adults with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

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.

Validity and reliability of the 12-item Berg Balance Scale in an Italian population with Parkinson’s disease: A cross sectional study

“…A research group of Sapienza University of Rome and Rehabilitation & Outcome Measures Assessment (ROMA) association conducted the study. The research group dealt with the validation of different outcome measures in Italy 20,21,22,23 . The institutional review board of Sapienza Università di Roma approved the study and guaranteed ethical standards and procedures.…”

Examining Reliability and Validity of the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test Among Children With Cerebral Palsy

“…The maximum time allowed to perform tasks was 120 seconds. The JTHFT-IT demonstrated good reliability (Nobilia et al, 2019;Savona et al, 2019) and good validity (Berardi et al, 2019). Specifically for CP population, the test showed excellent reliability in short time (intraclass coefficient > .900; Araneda et al, 2019).…”

“…The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT;Jebsen et al, 1969) is one of the most widely used assessment tools for investigating hand dexterity, and it has been a recommended tool for the CP population (Castelli et al, 2016;Wagner & Davids, 2012). The Italian version of the JTHFT-IT has been validated on samples of people without health problems (Culicchia et al, 2016), in a nonspecific disease sample (Nobilia et al, 2019) and among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (Savona et al, 2019). All of these studies demonstrated good psychometric (reliability and validity) properties.…”

Measures of Hand Function

“…Correlations between subtests and grip strength ranged from −0.14 to −0.59 in 108 patients with RA; the lower end of this range ( r = −0.14) was for writing with the nondominant hand, whereas correlations were above −0.39 for the other items (92). In 50 patients with RA, total JHFT scores correlated fairly to moderately with scores on the different AIMS items ( r = 0.43‐0.58), grip strength ( r = 0.56), and the HAQ ( r =0.37) (90).…”

“…In 108 patients with RA, the internal consistency was good, with a Cronbach’s α of 0.91 for the dominant hand and of 0.87 for the nondominant hand (92).…”