ATLANTA — Eric Karosan, a graduate student from the University of New Brunswick, presented research on an ongoing study evaluating the effectiveness and validity of the University of New Brunswick test of prosthetic function at the Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics Annual Meeting, here.
The researchers examined the UNB test to evaluate the current version’s psychometric properties and determine if any modifications may be necessary to comply with current standards of practice and to accommodate technological advancements in prosthetic devices.
An updated test was provided to clinics across North America and Europe and targeted unilateral upper extremity amputees between the ages of 2 and 21 years. Tests were divided into four age groups.
“Each age group consists of three subtests, and these subtests contain 10 activities for evaluation,” Karosan said.
Video footage, a questionnaire of personal characteristics and a performance score sheet were provided for each patient, and all data was analyzed and scored independently by a graduate student, primary clinician and secondary clinician using the Rasch model of analysis.
Karosan said they are seeing good preliminary results with the reliability of the modified version of the test.
“We’ve seen greater clinician observations and greater reliability by standards based on what we’ve seen so far between the evaluation of all the age groups, which is based on the strength, validity and reliability of the aggregate standards,” Karosan said.
The study is ongoing, and Karosan encouraged anyone interested in participating in this study to contact The University of New Brunswick.
For more information:
Karosan E. Evaluation of the validity and reliability of the UNB test of prosthetic function. Presented at: Association of Children’s Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics Annual Meeting. April 10-13, 2013. Atlanta.
