Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS) test: the reliability of a novel hand function test

Abstract

Objective: Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS) is a new hand function test developed for adults who have systemic sclerosis. HAMIS consists of 9 items designed to measure all movements assessed in an ordinary range of motion (ROM)-measured hand test. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of the test.

Methods: Two observers (one occupational therapist and one physiotherapist) performed the assessments independently of each other on 30 adult subjects. There were 25 women and 5 men in the sample (mean age 53 years, average time since diagnosis 4 years). Subjects were tested twice by each rather.

Results: Internal consistency ranged from 0.80 to 0.85 (Cronbach's alpha). Agreement between the two observers was good for all items (estimated kappa 0.52 to 1.00). The agreement between the observers' first and second assessments was moderate to very good for most items (estimated kappa 0.48 to 1.00), but not for the assessment of supination (estimated kappa 0.25 to 0.59).

Conclusion: HAMIS is a reliable instrument for evaluation of hand function on scleroderma patients.