Development and validation of two new sensory tests of the hand for patients with stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To establish validity and reliability of two new sensory tests evaluating moving (MTP) and sustained (STP) touch-pressure and their relationship to hand function for patients with stroke. The STP had four components in which a light or heavy ball was applied passively or held actively.


METHODS
Twenty-eight participants with hemiparesis (1-109 months) from rehabilitation hospitals or outpatient programmes.


METHODS
Content validity was established. Then reliability and concurrent and construct validity were determined. Sensation was compared with hand functional ability using the Modified Moberg recognition task, the Box and Block test and one task of the TEMPA test.


RESULTS
Reliability: Both types of reliability were significant for MTP (ICC = 0.92) and all components of STP (ICC = 0.62 to 0.92). Concurrent validity: MTP and STP correlated significantly (r = -0.39 to -0.83) with the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament test used as a 'gold standard' comparison. Construct validity: MTP was significantly related to Moberg (r = 0.49). Three of four components of STP correlated with TEMPA (r = 0.49-0.53) and Moberg (0.45-0.71). Only STP (heavy ball) correlated with Box and Block (0.42-0.48). Of the four components of STP, only the passive STP (light ball) was not related to hand function.


CONCLUSIONS
The new sensory tests of moving, and three components of sustained touch-pressure were reliable. The passive STP (light ball) was discarded. All but this test were relevant to the two functional roles of sensation: exploration for MTP and dexterity during holding for STP.
Dannenbaum
Ruth M
RM
Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation, Institut de réadaptation de Montréal, Québec, Canada. ruthd@dwp.net
Michaelsen
Stella M
SM
Desrosiers
Johanne
J
Levin
Mindy F
MF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*