Article

The aim of this study was to develop a descriptive and evaluative assessment
of upper limb function for infants aged 3 to 12 months and to investigate its
internal scale validity for use with infants at risk of unilateral cerebral palsy. METHOD:
The concepts of the test items and scoring criteria were
developed. Internal scale validity and aspects of reliability were investigated
on the basis of 156 assessments of infants at 3 to 12 months corrected age (mean
7.2mo, SD 2.5) with signs of asymmetric hand use. Rasch measurement model
analysis and non-parametric statistics were used. RESULTS: The new test, the Hand
Assessment for Infants (HAI), consists of 12 unimanual and five bimanual items,
each scored on a 3-point rating scale. It demonstrated a unidimensional construct
and good fit to the Rasch model requirements. The excellent person reliability
enabled person separation to six significant ability strata. The HAI produced an
interval-level measure of bilateral hand use as well as unimanual scores of each
hand, allowing a quantification of possible asymmetry expressed as an asymmetry
index. INTERPRETATION: The HAI can be considered a valid assessment tool for
measuring bilateral hand use and quantifying side difference between hands among
infants at risk of developing unilateral cerebral palsy.
WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS:
The Hand Assessment for Infants (HAI) measures the use of both hands and
quantifies a possible asymmetry of hand use. HAI is valid for infants at 3 to 12
months corrected age at risk of unilateral cerebral palsy.
CI - (c) 2017 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS