Current Experiences With the Prosthetic Upper Extremity Functional Index in Follow-Up of Children With Upper Limb Reduction Deficiency
By van Dijk-Koot, Carola A.; van der Ham, Inez; Buffart, Laurien M.; van der Sluis, Corry K.; Stam, Henk J.; Pesch-Batenburg, Josemiek M.F.B.; Roebroeck, Marij E.; Journal of Prosthetics & Orthotics, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 110-114Publication Date: April 2009
Study evaluated the Prosthetic Upper Extremity Functional Index (PUFI) for measuring the functioning, prosthesis use, ease of performance with and without prosthesis, and perceived usefulness of the prosthesis in children with upper limb reduction deficiency (ULRD). In addition, a Prosthetic Activities Score (PAS) was established to assess ease of performance and usefulness only for activities where the prosthesis was actually used. Study participants were 40 children with ULRD aged 4 to 18 years, of which 23 were prosthetic users and 17 were nonusers. Two versions of the PUFI were used: a 26-item version for children aged 3 to 6 years, and a 38-item older-child version. Children with ULRD were found to perform well on daily activities with and without prostheses, and both users and nonusers could do almost all activities. Users found prosthesis use beneficial in half of the activities. The PAS score was deemed useful to get more valid scores on the actual ease of performance with the prosthesis and its usefulness. Children aged 12 years and younger were found to use their prostheses more actively than older children. In follow-up measurements, children tended to improve on ease of performance and perceived usefulness. Changes in individual scores appeared to correlate with clinical observations. The study concludes that standardized assessment of functional activities in children with ULRD using the PUFI is useful for clinical judgment and adequate goal setting as well as for patient monitoring. Implications for further development of the PUFI are discussed.
Published by: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins (Website:http://www.lww.com)
Link to text: http://pt.wkhealth.com/pt/re/jpo/abstract.00008526-200904000-00010.htm
