Assessing Activity of Daily Living Performance After Implantation of an Upper Extremity Neuroprosthesis

Abstract

Restoration of hand and upper extremity function is a top priority for people with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). As interventions for restoring function increase, it is critical to measure their impact on the functional abilities of these individuals. Currently there are challenges in measuring activity of daily living (ADL) function, because existing measures are generally not sensitive enough to detect function in this domain, particularly for people with tetraplegia. In response to this, researchers at the Cleveland FES Center developed the ADL Abilities Test (ADLAT) to measure function in persons with tetraplegia using an upper extremity neuroprosthesis. The test showed sensitivity to change in function between American Spinal Injury Association motor levels with the neuroprosthesis turned on compared to off. The ADLAT shows promise in measuring the impact of other interventions and would benefit from further development of its psychometric properties.