Article

OBJECTIVES: To identify upper limb questionnaires used in the brachial plexus
injury (BPI) literature to assess activities and to evaluate their clinimetric
properties. DATA SOURCES : This systematic
review was undertaken in 2 stages. In stage 1, 10 electronic databases and 1
Internet journal were searched for quantitative studies (ie, randomized
controlled trials, comparative studies, case series, and case studies) that
evaluated outcome after BPI, irrespective of language or date of publication,
from date of database inception to September 2010. All outcome instruments used
were extracted and classified using the International Classification of
Functioning, Disability and Health framework. Questionnaires were identified that
apportioned >50% of the total score to the assessment of upper limb activity. In
stage 2, 4 electronic databases were searched for papers that evaluated the
clinimetric properties of all identified activity questionnaires with respect to
peripheral nerve injuries of the upper limb. Two independent reviewers assessed
the clinimetric properties of identified questionnaires according to standardized
criteria. DATA SYNTHESIS: Stage 1 identified 4324 papers, of which 265 met the
inclusion criteria. One hundred and three outcome measures were identified, the
majority of which assess body function or body structure. Twenty-nine
questionnaires assessed upper limb activity. Two questionnaires, the ABILHAND and
Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), attributed >50% of the overall
score to activity of the upper limb. The DASH had some published evidence of
clinimetric properties in individuals with peripheral nerve injuries. Neither had
been clinimetrically evaluated for BPI, nor met all quality criteria.
CONCLUSIONS: Day-to-day activities of the upper limb are infrequently evaluated
after BPI. While attempts have been made to measure activity, there is a paucity
of clinimetric evidence on activity questionnaires for individuals with BPI. We
recommend that a core set of items be developed which evaluate activity, as well
a body structure, body function, and participation.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS