Purpose
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the validity and responsiveness of the Jebsen–Taylor
Hand Function Test (JTT) in measuring hand function in patients undergoing hand surgery,
compared with the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ).
Methods
A prospective cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 37), osteoarthritis
(n = 10), carpal tunnel syndrome (n = 18), and distal radius fracture (n = 46) were evaluated
preoperatively and at 9 to 12 months of follow-up. We administered the JTT and MHQ.
We performed correlation and receiver operating characteristic analyses to evaluate
the validity of the JTT as a measure of disability. Effect size and standardized response
means were calculated to determine responsiveness.
Results
Correlation studies revealed poor correlation of the JTT with MHQ total scores and
subsets that relate to hand function. Patients with high MHQ scores generally perform
well on the JTT; however, patients with good JTT scores do not necessarily have high
MHQ scores. Receiver operating characteristic curves for each condition showed that
the change in JTT total score had poor ability to discriminate between high and low
MHQ score subjects, with an area under the curve result of 0.52 to 0.66 for each condition.
Effect size and standardized response means for all states showed greater responsiveness
with the MHQ for each condition compared with the JTT.
Conclusions
We found poor correlation between the change in JTT and absolute JTT scores after
surgery compared with change in MHQ and absolute MHQ scores. In addition, the JTT
had poor discriminant validity based on the MHQ as a reference. This study showed
that the time to complete activities does not correlate well with patient-reported
outcomes. We conclude that the JTT should not be used as a measure of disability or
clinical change after surgical intervention.
Type of study/level of evidence
Diagnostic III.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 03, 2009
Accepted:
September 8,
2009
Received:
March 16,
2009
Footnotes
Supported in part by a grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R01 AR047328) and a Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24 AR053120) (to K.C.C.).
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc.
