Assessment of Hand Function: A Review of Some Tests in Common Use

Abstract

In studies of hand function recently carried out in Edinburgh, one of the problems was to find valid comprehensive measures of outcome following trauma or elective surgery. A small supplementary study was therefore undertaken to examine some commonly used tests of strength and dexterity, and to compare the results with the use of the hand in activities of daily living (ADL). The results indicated that ADL function was more closely correlated with strength than with dexterity. However, no test used in isolation gave a realistic description of hand function for either rheumatoid or trauma patients. It is therefore suggested that a battery of tests, including ADL assessment related to individual need, is necessary.