Italian translation and psychometric validation of the ABILHAND-26 and its correlation with upper limb objective and subjective measures in multiple sclerosis subjects.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nUpper limb (UL) function is affected in about 50% of people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). In the last decade, Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM) are playing an important role in clinical trial and practice. ABILIHAND-26 is a PROM that assess self-perceived manual ability defined as the capacity to manage daily activities using the upper limbs. The aim of the study is to translate the ABILHAND-26 into Italian, to explore its psychometric properties examining the associations with demographics, clinical variables, 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) and Manual Ability Measures-36 (MAM-36).\n\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS\nSubjects were recruited in five Italian neurological centers. They were evaluated through ABILHAND-26, 9-HPT and MAM-36. Confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis were adopted to investigate the psychometric properties of the ABILHAND-26.\n\n\nRESULTS\nTwo hundred and forty-five patients were recruited. Rasch analyses showed adequate functioning and supported the unidimensionality of the scale. ABILHAND-26 showed negative correlations with age and disease duration, moderate negative correlation with EDSS and the 9-HPT scores for both arms and strong positive associations (ρ\xa0≥\xa0.84) with the MAM-36. Difference in ABILHAND-26 scores only emerged when comparing patients with severe disability (EDSS\xa0≥\xa06) with patients with either mild or moderate disability. t) and when comapring relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive patients.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe Italian version of the ABILHAND-26 is now available. It shows adequate reliability of the score, moderate criterion validity and strong convergent validity. ABILHAND-26 could represent a valid assessment for self-perceived ability to perform manual activity, especially for PwMS with moderate-to-high level of disability.