Development of the Joint Protection Behavior Assessment.
OBJECTIVE
To develop an observational assessment of the use of joint protection (JP) methods by people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Subjects with and without RA were videotaped performing a kitchen activity to identify the range of JP and non-JP methods used. Behavior codes were developed for these. Seven rheumatology occupational therapists reviewed and scored behaviors as correct, partially correct, or incorrect JP methods. Test-retest and interrater agreement studies were conducted.


RESULTS
The Joint Protection Behavior Assessment (JPBA) demonstrated good content validity (kappa = 0.46 to 1.00), test-retest reliability (P < 0.0001), and interobserver agreement (kappa = 0.68 to 0.88). Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with hand impairment and function variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The JPBA is a reliable and valid assessment of the use of JP methods by people with mild to moderate hand and upper limb joint involvement, which can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of JP education programs.
Hammond
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A
School of Health & Community Studies, University of Derby, UK.
Lincoln
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N
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods*; D015588:Observer Variation; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012219:Rheumatology; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*