title: Evaluation of arm and prosthetic functioning in children with a congenital transverse reduction deficiency of the upper limb.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess upper extremity functioning of children with unilateral transverse upper limb reduction deficiency, using standardized instruments, and to investigate their validity and reliability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty subjects aged 4-12 years; 9 prosthetic users and 11 non-users.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Assisting Hand Assessment, Unilateral Below Elbow Test, Prosthetic Upper extremity Functional Index and ABILHAND-Kids were assessed in all children. Users were tested with and without their prosthesis. We compared results of users and non-users, and of users with and without their prosthesis. Validity was determined by testing hypotheses and correlations with other measures. Test-retest reliability was assessed from repeated measurements in 10 children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with an upper limb reduction deficiency performed well on daily activities. They could use their prosthesis in 68% of the activities, but were currently using it in only 30%. Children find their prosthesis useful for specific activities, rather than for daily activities in general. The Assisting Hand Assessment and Prosthetic Upper extremity Functional Index showed best validity; test-retest reliability was good to excellent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of standardized instruments adds relevant information on functioning of children with an upper limb reduction deficiency. We found additional support for validity and reliability of, in particular, the Assisting Hand Assessment and Prosthetic Upper extremity Functional Index.
authors.affiliation: Erasmus MC, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands. l.buffart@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Laurien M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Buffart
authors.forename: Marij E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Roebroeck
authors.forename: Vera G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: van Heijningen
authors.forename: Josemiek M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pesch-Batenburg
authors.forename: Henk J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Stam
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D038062:Upper Extremity Deformities, Congenital / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*