The suitcase packing activity: A new evaluation of hand function

Prospective, repeated-measures study.

Understanding individual hand function can assist therapists with the process of determining relevant treatment approaches and realistic therapeutic outcomes. At this point in time, a composite test that assesses both unilateral and bimanual hand function in relation to a functional activity is not available.

To establish the reliability and validity of the suitcase packing activity (SPA).

An expert panel established face and content validity. Eighty healthy, English-speaking volunteers aged between 18 and 45 years were randomly assigned to either 1 or 2 sessions (test-retest reliability). Relative agreement between 2 examiners using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)_3,1 determined interrater reliability. Test-retest reliability was determined by using a repeated-measures analysis of variance and an ICC_3,2. Concurrent validity was evaluated against 2 well-established hand evaluations using separate tests of correlational coefficients.

Face and content validity were established across 4 focus groups. Our results demonstrate good to excellent interrater reliability (ICC_3,1 ≥ 0.93) and good to excellent test-retest reliability (ICC_3,2 ≥ 0.83). SPA scores were moderately correlated with the 2-hand evaluations.

Through evaluating hand function during participation in a goal-directed activity (eg, packing a suitcase), the SPA exhibits promise in usefulness as a future viable outcome measure that can be used to assess functional abilities following a hand injury.

The SPA is a valid and reliable tool for assessing bimanual and unilateral hand function in healthy subjects.

Diagnostic level II.