Reliability and validity of the capabilities of upper extremity test (CUE-T) in subjects with chronic spinal cord injury

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2015 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772314Y.0000000272 · Published: July 1, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

This study focuses on the Capabilities of Upper Extremity Test (CUE-T), a tool designed to measure functional limitations in the arms and hands of individuals with tetraplegia. The researchers aimed to determine if the CUE-T is a reliable and valid measure for this population, meaning it consistently produces similar results and accurately reflects upper extremity function. The study involved repeated measurements on participants with chronic spinal cord injuries to assess the test's consistency and its correlation with other established measures of motor function and independence.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

50 subjects (36 male/14 female) with spinal cord injury (SCI) of ≥1-year duration

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The CUE-T demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, with high intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for total, right, and left side scores.
2
The CUE-T showed good to excellent correlation with the Upper Extremity Motor Score (UEMS) and the self-care and mobility subscales of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III).
3
Item agreement was generally high, although some items, particularly those involving pronation and supination, showed lower agreement and require revision of test procedures.

Research Summary

The study evaluated the reliability and validity of the CUE-T in individuals with chronic tetraplegia. The CUE-T demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability and good-excellent construct validity, correlating well with established measures of upper extremity function and independence. The findings support the use of the CUE-T for evaluating upper extremity functional capabilities in persons with chronic SCI, although further research is needed to determine its sensitivity to change and to refine certain test procedures.

Practical Implications

Clinical Assessment

The CUE-T can be used by clinicians to assess upper extremity function in individuals with chronic SCI.

Research Tool

The CUE-T can serve as a valuable outcome measure in clinical trials aimed at improving upper extremity function after SCI.

Test Refinement

The test procedures for pronation and supination should be revised to improve inter-rater reliability.

Study Limitations

1
The study enrolled fewer subjects with motor complete injuries than planned, limiting the generalizability of the findings to this subgroup.
2
The study was conducted at a single center, which may limit the generalizability of the results to other settings.
3
Sensitivity to change has not yet been determined.

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