Development of a hand function questionnaire to evaluate occupational performance in rheumatology clients

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2011-06-09

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Obermeyer, Izel

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Abstract

Purpose of this study was to develop an appropriate and valid hand function assessment: the Steinmann-Obermeyer questionnaire (SOQ) for clients attending the Rheumatology Clinic at Kalafong Hospital. To achieve this • the construct validity of the SOQ had to be examined by assessing the face and content validity. • the criterion –related validity of the SOQ was assessed using convergent, concurrent and discriminative validity compared to pain, severity of deformity and disease severity. • the criterion –related validity of the SOQ was further assessed using the predictive validity by assessing normal subjects with the SOQ. Objective: The objective of this study was to test the following null hypotheses: 1.4.1 The SOQ is not a valid method of evaluating the functional ability of rheumatology clients treated at Kalafong hospital out patient clinic. 1.4.2 There is no correlation between the severity of the rheumatic disease and the score obtained by the SOQ. 1.4.3 There is no correlation between the disease activity and the score obtained by the SOQ. 1.4.4 There is no correlation between the client’s assessment of their level of pain and the score obtained by the SOQ. Method. The SOQ consisted of 48 questions, was translated into Sotho and Zulu and was administered and analysed on 96 arthritic clients between 18 and 69 years of age. An occupational therapy assistant (OTA), who spoke both the tribal languages fluently, completed the questionnaire with each client. An interviewer-administered format was used because many of the clients were illiterate. Results. After the analyses were completed, three questions were excluded and the final questionnaire consisted of 45 questions. This questionnaire was found to be a valid method of evaluating the functional ability of rheumatology clients treated at Kalafong hospital. Clients with severe functional limitations scored high on the questionnaire and those with minimal functional difficulty scored low on the questionnaire. The questionnaire scores correlated significantly with the pain levels experienced by the clients and their disease activity. The statistical analyses also showed that there is no correlation between the questionnaire score and the deformities of the clients. Inter-rater reliability was established. Conclusion. The 45-question occupational performance evaluation was developed, analysed and proven to be valid and sensitive for use with rheumatology clients with hand function difficulties at the Kalafong rheumatology clinic.

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MSc, Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2008

Keywords

questionnaire, hand function, rheumatism, occupational performance

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