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Reliability and internal validity of the michigan hand questionnaire
Bryan T Chung1, Steven F Morris
1From the Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|June 4, 2013
Summary
This study evaluated the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) in a Canadian population. While showing good internal validity, its moderate reliability and wide limits of agreement suggest potential interpretation challenges for hand function assessments.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Health Outcomes Research
Background:
- The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) is a validated tool for assessing hand function.
- Its reliability and validity require further investigation in diverse English-speaking populations.
- This study addresses this gap by evaluating the MHQ in a Canadian cohort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the test-retest reliability and internal validity of the MHQ.
- To assess the MHQ's performance in a Canadian patient population with hand conditions.
Main Methods:
- Patients with clinical hand problems (excluding immobilization) were recruited.
- The MHQ was administered twice to assess test-retest reliability.
- Internal validity was measured using Cronbach's alpha; reliability by Bland-Altman and intraclass correlation coefficients.
Main Results:
- Cronbach's alpha values (0.84-0.95) indicated high internal validity.
- Intraclass correlation coefficients (0.71-0.84) suggested moderate reliability.
- Wide limits of agreement (13.8-26.2) were observed, with no correlation between score differences and time intervals.
Conclusions:
- The MHQ demonstrates high internal validity in a Canadian population.
- Moderate reliability and wide limits of agreement may impact the interpretation of score changes.
- Item redundancy in the MHQ could potentially be reduced without compromising information.
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