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Validity and responsiveness of the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test
Erika Davis Sears1, Kevin C Chung
1Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5340, USA.
The Journal of Hand Surgery
|December 4, 2009
Summary
The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTT) shows poor correlation with patient-reported outcomes (MHQ) after hand surgery. This hand function test is not recommended for measuring disability or clinical change post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Hand Surgery
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Hand function tests are crucial for evaluating surgical outcomes.
- The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTT) is commonly used, but its validity and responsiveness compared to patient-reported outcomes require thorough investigation.
- Patient-reported outcome measures, such as the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), provide valuable insights into functional recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the validity and responsiveness of the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTT) in patients undergoing hand surgery.
- To compare the JTT's performance against the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) in measuring hand function.
- To determine if JTT scores correlate with patient-reported outcomes and clinical changes post-surgery.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study included patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and distal radius fracture.
- The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTT) and Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) were administered preoperatively and 9-12 months postoperatively.
- Correlation, receiver operating characteristic analyses, effect size, and standardized response means were used to evaluate validity and responsiveness.
Main Results:
- The JTT demonstrated poor correlation with total MHQ scores and hand function-related subsets.
- While high MHQ scores generally corresponded to good JTT performance, good JTT scores did not necessarily indicate high MHQ scores.
- The JTT showed limited ability to discriminate between high and low MHQ score groups, with the MHQ exhibiting greater responsiveness across all conditions.
Conclusions:
- The JTT's change and absolute scores after surgery showed poor correlation with MHQ outcomes.
- The JTT exhibited poor discriminant validity when compared to the MHQ.
- The JTT, which measures time to complete activities, does not align well with patient-reported outcomes, and thus is not recommended for assessing disability or clinical change post-hand surgery.
