title: Development of an objective test of upper-limb function in tetraplegia: the capabilities of upper extremity test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to describe the development, internal consistency, and validity of the Capabilities of Upper Extremity Test (CUE-T) for persons with tetraplegia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a cross-sectional sample of adults with spinal cord injury. CUE-T items and procedures were developed based on the CUE Questionnaire. Thirty adults with complete and incomplete spinal cord injury, neurologic levels C4-T6, were tested on one occasion. Each received upper limb manual muscle testing and the CUE Questionnaire followed by the CUE-T. Raw item scores were converted to a 0-4 scale. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach alpha. Item score distributions were evaluated for ceiling and floor effects. Spearman correlations of total, right, and left CUE-T scores with upper-limb motor scores and international hand classification were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 23 men and 7 women, with an average age of 44.8 yrs. Twenty subjects had motor complete injuries; 13 had motor levels C4-C6, 13 had between C7 and C8, and 4 were T1 or below. The Cronbach alpha for the CUE-T was 0.96. Item score distributions found ceiling effects for the push/pull items, suggesting that these items were too easy. Correlations of right- and left-sided scores with upper-limb motor scores and international hand classification were strong, with all values greater than or equal to 0.89.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CUE-T displays good internal consistency and excellent construct validity on preliminary testing. Push/pull tests should be revised to increase difficulty. Reliability and responsiveness should be determined.
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Ralph J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.forename: Whitney
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Albright
authors.forename: Benjamin E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Leiby
authors.forename: Mj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mulcahey
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Read
authors.forename: Stephen B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Kern
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult