Reliability of an observation-based scoring grid to assess bimanual performance during unstandardized tasks in adults living with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Purpose Most activities of daily living (ADLs) require the use of both upper extremities. However, few assessments exist to assess bimanual performance, especially among adults living with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this preliminary study is to assess the interrater reliability and convergent validity of the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) scoring grid applied to unstandardized ADLs. Materials and methods For this validation study, nineteen adults living with spastic unilateral CP were videotaped performing seven bimanual ADLs. Three raters assessed the videos independently using the 20-item grid of the AHA. Gwet’s AC2 was used to assess interrater reliability. Kendall’s Tau-b correlation was used between the observation-based scoring grid and Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) scores to assess convergent validity. Results Interrater reliability was good (0.84, SD = 0.02). The correlation with the JTHFT was high (τb = −0.74; p < 0.001). Conclusion The results show the potential of using an observation-based scoring grid with unstandardized ADLs to assess bimanual performance in adults living with CP, but further research on psychometric properties is needed. This method allows for an assessment that is occupation-oriented, ecological, and meaningful.