Outcome Measures for People with Scleroderma: Relationships between Measures of Impairment and Activity Limitation

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between impairment and activity limitation outcome measures in people with scleroderma. Forty people with scleroderma received evaluations of body structure and function variables: grip and pinch strength (Arthritis Hand Function Test), dexterity (nine-hole pegboard), joint motion (Hand Mobility in Scleroderma and Keital Function Test) and skin thickness. The participants also completed self-report questionnaires regarding activity limitations (Health Assessment Questionnaire, Hand Functional Disability Scale and Scleroderma Functional Assessment Questionnaire). All grip and pinch strength and dexterity measures correlated significantly but moderately with the activity limitation measures (r = 0.34 to 0.62). The Keital Function Test correlated with the activity limitation measures (r = 0.43 to 0.49) whereas the Hand Mobility in Scleroderma test and skin thickness did not. The results demonstrated that the activity limitations reported by the participants were only partly associated with the impairment variables. The findings from this study might help occupational therapists to decide where to focus intervention and which measures to use when assessing the effectiveness of occupational therapy for people with scleroderma.