Quantifying Impaired Hand Function In The Clinical Environment

Abstract

The Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP) has been developed specifically to enable the broadbased evaluation of hand function irrespective of the disability, thereby allowing assessment of both natural and prosthetic hands. This technique enables a contextual result to be formed (relative to normal hand ftxnction), hence providing a quantifiable index of functionality rather than the more conventional subjective measures. The establishment of normative data trials and subsequent statistical analysis demonstrates the procedure to be both reliable and r epeatable. The procedure has been undergoing evaluation at hand rehabilitation and prosthetic fitting centres. The subject group consists of those with impaired natural hand fimction (ranging fiom traumatic injury to diseased joints), as well as unilateral amputees and those with congenital deficiencies ofthe upper limb. These initial cases have assisted in the refinement of the index of functionality thatresults fiom the procedure. The perceived hand fiinction of these case studies is presented in comparison with the SHAP results. Quantification of functionality is of clinical importance to allow surgeons and therapists to monitor rehabilitation, and preliminary results suggest that the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure provides a critical contribution to this process.