Exploring the Psychometric Properties of Upper Extremity Functional Scale: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Introduction: The Upper Extremity Functional Scale (UEFS) is a 20- item, region-specific, patient-reported outcome measure developed by Glenn Pransky and colleagues in 1997. The UEFS is used to measure upper extremity function in individuals with hand and upper extremity disorders. Patients rate their function on a 0 to 4 Likert scale, where 0 indicates extreme difficulty and 4 indicates no difficulty performing the task. This translates into a maximum possible score of 80, which indicates excellent function. The UEFS takes about 5 minutes to complete and is easy to administer and score with minimal training. The total score is computed by adding up individual item scores. Aim: To examine the psychometric properties of the UEFS. Materials and Methods: A narrative review was conducted from August 2023 to February 2024 and included searches in PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Scopus (2015- 2023) The search strategy included keywords such as “Upper Extremity Functional Scale,” “psychometric properties,” “reliability” “validity,” and “responsiveness.” There were 10 articles investigating the psychometric properties of the UEFS in individuals with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders were included. Results: The summary of the psychometric evidence of the Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI) available version in terms of reliability, validity and responsiveness. The UEFI and UEFI-15 versions showed consistent test-retest reliability results {Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC)=0.94}. Convergent validity for both the UEFI and UEFI-15 versions was supported by their strong correlation with the Upper Extremity Functional Scale (UEFS) ≥0.6. Conclusion: The UEFS exhibits strong psychometric properties. It is widely used in clinical practice and research, with solid evidence supporting its usefulness in measuring upper extremity function in people with musculoskeletal diseases.