title: Responsiveness of outcome measures for upper limb prosthetic rehabilitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is limited research on responsiveness of prosthetic rehabilitation outcome measures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine responsiveness of the Box and Block test, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function tests, Upper Extremity Functional Scale, University of New Brunswick skill and spontaneity tests, Activity Measure for Upper Limb Amputation, and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a quasi-experimental study with repeated measurements in a convenience sample of upper limb amputees.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measures were collected before, during, and after training with the DEKA Arm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Largest effect sizes were observed for Patient-Specific Functional Scale (effect size: 1.59, confidence interval: 1.00, 2.14), Activity Measure for Upper Limb Amputation (effect size: 1.33, confidence interval: 0.73, 1.90), and University of New Brunswick skill test (effect size: 1.18, confidence interval: 0.61, 1.73). Other measures that were responsive to change were Box and Block test, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function light and heavy can tests, and University of New Brunswick spontaneity test. Responsiveness and pattern of responsiveness varied by prosthetic level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Box and Block test, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function light and heavy can tests, University of New Brunswick skill and spontaneity tests, Activities Measure for Upper Limb Amputation, and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale were responsive to change during prosthetic training. These findings have implications for choice of measures for research and practice and inform clinicians about the amount of training necessary to maximize outcomes with the DEKA Arm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings on responsiveness of outcome measures have implications for the choice of measures for clinical trials and practice. Findings regarding the responsiveness to change over the course of training can inform clinicians about the amount of training that may be necessary to maximize specific outcomes with the DEKA Arm.
authors.affiliation: Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA Linda.Resnik@va.gov.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Resnik
authors.affiliation: Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borgia
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Responsiveness; amputation; assistive technology; disability evaluation; prosthetics; upper limb