Evaluation of the validity of the prosthetic upper extremity functional index for children.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the validity of the Prosthetic Upper Extremity Functional Index (PUFI), a parent- and older child-report measure that evaluates the extent of Prosthetic limb use, ease of task performance with and without the prosthesis, and its usefulness.

DESIGN

Evaluation of discriminant validity (the PUFI's ability to detect differences between children), construct validity (between the parent-report PUFI and University of New Brunswick Test of Prosthetic Function [UNB Test]), and criterion validity (comparison of parent-report PUFI responses with an assessor's scores of a child's performance of PUFI activities).

SETTING

Four pediatric amputee clinics.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-eight children, ages 3 to 18 years, with unilateral upper-extremity amputation and a prosthesis.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The PUFI and the UNB Test.

RESULTS

The PUFI differentiated between children in high and low UNB Test score categories, and between younger and older children's functional abilities. The extent of correlation between PUFI ratings and UNB skill of performance scores was moderate for "ease of performance" and "usefulness of prosthesis" categories (r>.47, P<.05). The level of agreement between parent report and observational assessment of PUFI skills was acceptable (weighted kappa range,.44-.65).

CONCLUSIONS

The PUFI showed acceptable validity and showed promise in identifying prosthetic skill and use in children of different ages and abilities.