Reliability of 2 self-report questionnaires assessing performance of activities of daily living in chronic hand orthotic users.

Abstract

The reliability of Dutch questionnaires assessing performance of activities of daily living (ADL) has not been established in chronic hand orthotic users. To examine the reliability of the custom short form of the Dutch-Flemish Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Upper Extremity (DF-PROMIS-UE) and the Michigan Hand Questionnaire Dutch language version (MHQ-DLV) in chronic hand orthotic users and evaluate the correlation between the DF-PROMIS-UE and MHQ-DLV ADL domain. Seventy-four chronic hand orthotic users (mean [SD] age 60.5 [10.71] years, 60 female) completed the DF-PROMIS-UE and MHQ-DLV twice. Reliability was assessed as internal consistency (Cronbach's α), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient), and agreement (95% limits of agreement, standard error of measurement, smallest detectable change). Furthermore, the Pearson correlation coefficient were determined. Cronbach's α for both ADL questionnaires was ≥0.90. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.93) for the DF-PROMIS-UE and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.72-0.88) for the MHQ-DLV ADL domain. The limits of agreement were narrower for the DF-PROMIS-UE (-4.43 to 5.85) than for the MHQ-DLV ADL domain (-27.4 to 26.4). The standard error of measurement and smallest detectable change for the DF-PROMIS-UE were 1.91 and 5.29 points and for MHQ-DLV ADL domain 9.65 and 26.8 points, respectively. The correlation between the ADL questionnaires was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.89). Although the DF-PROMIS-UE and MHQ-DLV ADL domain were highly correlated and showed good internal consistency, the DF-PROMIS-UE showed better test-retest reliability and lower measurement error than the MHQ-DLV ADL domain in chronic hand orthotic users.