Introduction / Rationale: This project aims to improve the Brief Activities Measure for Upper Limb Amputations (BAM-ULA) by identifying new occupation-based tasks. The need for a more inclusive and accurate measure of functional performance for individuals with varying levels of upper limb amputation drives this initiative.
Objectives: The primary objective is to identify two new tasks to add to BAM-ULA, enhancing its relevance and applicability across different types of upper limb amputations.
Methods / Approach: The Delphi Method, a structured communication technique, will be employed. This involves a panel of experts participating in multiple rounds of questionnaires facilitated by a student researcher to reach a consensus. Three focus groups will be formed: a rehabilitation team of occupational therapists and prosthetists, experts on shoulder disarticulations, and specialists in partial hand amputations—each group consisting of at least four panelists. These groups will convene three times, with the student researcher coding themes and similarities to report in subsequent meetings. Convenience sampling will be used for recruitment, ensuring diverse demographics within the United States.
Results / Practice Implications: Data collection is still ongoing.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: By incorporating diverse expert opinions and focusing on occupation-based tasks, this project seeks to improve the BAM-ULA, thereby contributing to the occupational therapy profession by providing a more inclusive and precise measure for evaluating functional performance in individuals with upper limb amputations. Data collection is currently ongoing.