Background: The hands perform essential functions, enabling precise and coordinated movements. Hand functionality involves anatomical integrity, sensation, coordination, strength, and dexterity. The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Functional Test (JTHFT) assesses upper limb function through seven tasks simulating daily activities, recording completion time for each.
Objective: To evaluate the interrater and intrarater reliability of the JTHFT in adults with musculoskeletal hand disorders, emphasizing the need for complementary evaluation methods in occupational therapy.
Methods: This observational cross-sectional reliability study followed COSMIN guidelines and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAEE: 60761722.2.0000.5440). Conducted at the rehabilitation center of the Hospital das Clínicas in Ribeirão Preto, it included 37 volunteers meeting inclusion criteria. Data collected included sociodemographics, grip/pinch dynamometry, and QuickDASH scores. Two trained evaluators administered the JTHFT, with a retest after one week.
Results: Among the 37 participants (22 women, 15 men), common diagnoses included nerve, muscle, and tendon injuries (21.6%), radius fractures (10.8%), and carpal tunnel syndrome (10.8%). Pearson correlations between dynamometry, QuickDASH, and JTHFT showed moderate-to-good negative correlations. Intraexaminer reliability (dominant hand 0.54, non-dominant 0.46) and interexaminer reliability (dominant 0.62, non-dominant 0.92) were determined using ICC and 95% confidence intervals (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The JTHFT demonstrated moderate-to-excellent interrater reliability and weak-to-moderate intrarater reliability. It is a valuable tool for occupational therapy assessment of upper limb function, with negative correlations with QuickDASH and grip/pinch dynamometry, reinforcing its complementary role in functional evaluation.