Evaluation of Performance-Based Outcome Measures for the Upper Limb: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

Publication date: September 2018Source: PM&R, Volume 10, Issue 9Author(s): Sophie Wang, C. Janice Hsu, Lauren Trent, Tiffany Ryan, Nathan T. Kearns, Eugene F. Civillico, Kimberly L. KontsonAbstractObjective 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. ...
Source: PMandR - Category: Rehabilitation Source Type: research