Abstract
Importance: Having a problem-specific hand function test that can be administered easily with children is important for consistency in measuring and monitoring outcomes.
Objective: To introduce basic testing procedures for Hand Accumulation aNd Dexterity FUnctional Limits–Shriner (HANDFULS), a clinically feasible hand outcome measure for two common hand problems, in-hand manipulation and palmar workspace volume; examine its face validity and test–retest reliability; and provide reference values for children and adolescents with typically developed, noninjured hands as a foundation for further study.
Design: Prospective cohort study.
Setting: Pediatric hospital and surrounding community.
Participants: Children and adolescents, ages 2 to 20 yr, with typically developed, noninjured hands.
Intervention: A newly developed hand function test called HANDFULS.
Outcomes: HANDFULS measured palmar workspace volume, represented by the number of marbles children and adolescents could comfortably fit in their hand, and in-hand manipulation, represented by seconds per marble needed to collect the marbles in the hand.
Results: Results for the primary outcomes palmar workspace volume and the HANDFULS scores were reported by age group. For every year increase in age, HANDFULS score decreased by 0.02 s per marble (p < .001). The test showed moderately high test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .84) and was typically administered in less than 5 min with supplies costing about $30.
Conclusions and Relevance: This study proposes a hand outcome measure that addresses a gap in the literature and clinical practice in the measurement of hand function.
Plain-Language Summary: The Hand Accumulation aNd Dexterity FUnctional Limits–Shriners (HANDFULS) offers a new, clinically feasible outcome tool for measuring in-hand manipulation (the number of seconds per marble a child or adolescent needs to collect marbles in one hand). HANDFULS simultaneously considers palmar workspace volume (the number of marbles a child or adolescent can comfortably fit in one hand) as a foundation for future testing with various patient populations to provide meaningful and relevant information about hand function.
