The Fit-HaNSA Demonstrates Reliability and Convergent Validity of Functional Performance in Patients with Shoulder Disorders

Authors

Prajyot Kumta
Joy C. MacDermid, McMaster University
Saurabh Mehta, Marshall UniversityFollow
Paul W. Stratford, McMaster University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Abstract

Study

DesignPsychometric study design.

Objectives

To assess the test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the Functional Impairment Test-Hand and Neck/Shoulder/Arm (FIT-HaNSA) in patients with shoulder disorders.

Background

Performance tests that assess functional ability of patients with shoulder disorders can provide useful information for making clinical or return-to-activity decisions. No performance-based shoulder test has yet demonstrated sufficient relevance or clinical measurement properties. The FIT-HaNSA examines upper extremity performance during repetitive tasks that emphasize shoulder reaching and static postures and, therefore, has greater relevance for assessing performance.

Methods

Thirty-six patients with shoulder disorders and 65 healthy controls were recruited for the study. The FIT-HaNSA, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, isometric shoulder strength, and shoulder range of motion were assessed at baseline and repeated 2 to 7 days later. Test-retest reliability was described using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) and standard error of measurement. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the level of association between the FIT-HaNSA scores and the other measures.

Results

The ICCs for test-retest reliability for the FIT-HaNSA ranged from 0.89 to 0.97 in the patient group and 0.79 to 0.91 in the control group. The FIT-HaNSA showed high correlation with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and moderate correlations with shoulder range of motion and muscle strength.

Conclusion

The FIT-HaNSA demonstrated high test-retest reliability and convergent validity with other related outcomes in patients with shoulder disorders. Further longitudinal studies are required to evaluate the responsiveness of the FIT-HaNSA in patients with different upper extremity conditions. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(5):455–464, Epub 25 January 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.3796

Comments

This is the final peer-reviewed manuscript of an article available from the publisher athttp://www.jospt.org/doi/abs/10.2519/jospt.2012.3796#.VCly6vldV8E.

Copyright © 2012 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. All rights reserved.

Recommended Citation

Kumta, P., MacDermid, J. C., Mehta, S. P., & Stratford, P. W. (2012). The FIT-HaNSA demonstrates reliability and convergent validity of functional performance in patients with shoulder disorders. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 42(5), 455-464.