Article

The Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP) evaluates the
functionality of normal, injured or prosthetic hands. The aim was to evaluate the
learning effects of SHAP tasks and the appropriateness of the time limits applied
per task in novice prosthetic users. METHODS: Right-handed unimpaired volunteers
(n = 24, mean age 21.8 years) completed 8 SHAP sessions over 5 consecutive days
using a prosthetic simulator. The execution times of SHAP tasks were transformed
into 6 prehensile patterns, the functionality profile, and the index of function,
a general functionality score. Learning effects in task times were analysed using
multilevel analysis. RESULTS: Learning effects occurred in all SHAP tasks. Tasks,
sex, sessions, tasks-sessions interaction, and the first session of the day
contributed (p < 0.01) to the execution times. Tasks were performed more slowly
by females and more slowly on the first session of the day. In several tasks time
limits were exceeded by > 25% of participants in at least the first 3 sessions,
which affected the calculation of the functionality profile and index of function
scores. CONCLUSION: The learning effects of SHAP in novice prosthetic users
require consideration when conducting a reliability study. SHAP scores in novice
prosthetic-hand users are confounded by learning effects and exceeded time
limits.

Langue : ANGLAIS