Is the UNB test reliable and valid for use with adults with upper limb amputation?

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical measurement.

INTRODUCTION: The University of New Brunswick (UNB) Test of Prosthetic Function was developed for children. No studies have examined its use with adults.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Our purposes were to utilize the UNB with adults to examine test-retest, inter-rater reliability and examine validity.

METHODS: The UNB was administered to 51 subjects. Forty-five completed it twice within 1 week. Internal consistency was examined. Test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability were estimated. ANOVAs compared scores by prosthetic use. Correlations between UNB scales, 2 dexterity tests (the Modified Box and Block Test, the modified Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test), and the self-reported Upper Extremity Functional Scale (UEFS) were examined.

RESULTS: Alphas were 0.74-0.75 and 0.69-9.79 for spontaneity and skill respectively. ICCs for test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability were 0.73, 0.76 for spontaneity and 0.76 and 0.79 for skill. There were no differences in scores by prosthetic experience. UNB correlations with dexterity measures were moderate, and correlations with UEFS were weak for spontaneity and non-significant for skill.

CONCLUSIONS: UNB scales had acceptable reliability and preliminary evidence of validity for adults.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IIb.