The AsTex registered : clinimetric properties of a new tool for evaluating hand sensation following stroke

• Published in: Clinical rehabilitation Vol. 23; no. 12; pp. 1104 - 1115
• Main Authors: Miller, K J, Phillips, BA, Martin, CL, Wheat, HE, Goodwin, A W, Galea, M P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2009
• ISSN: 0269-2155
• DOI: 10.1177/0269215509342331

Objectives: To investigate the clinimetric properties and clinical utility of the AsTex super( registered ), a new clinical tool for evaluation of hand sensation following stroke.Design: The AsTex super( registered ) was administered on two occasions separated by a week to appraise test-retest reliability, and by three assessors on single occasion to establish inter-rater reliability. Pilot normative values were collected in an age-stratified sample. Clinical utility was evaluated based on ease of administration, ceiling and floor effects, and responsiveness to sensory recovery.Participants: Test-retest (n = 31) and inter-rater (n = 31) reliability and normative values (n = 95) for the AsTex super( registered ) were established in neurologically normal participants aged 18-85 years. Test-retest reliability was investigated in 22 individuals a mean of 46 months (range 12-125) post stroke and clinical utility was evaluated in an additional 24 subacute stroke participants a mean of 29.4 days (range 12-41) post stroke.Main measure: The AsTex super( registered ).Results: The AsTex super( registered ) demonstrated excellent test-retest (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.97-0.99) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.73-0.87) in neurologically normal participants. Test-retest reliability of the AsTex super( registered ) in individuals following stroke was excellent (ICC = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.68-0.94). The AsTex super( registered ) was simple to administer, demonstrated small standard error of measurement (0.14 mm), minimal floor and ceiling effects (12.5% and 8.3%) and excellent responsiveness (standardized response mean = 0.57) in subacute stroke participants.Conclusion: The AsTex super( registered ) is a reliable, clinically useful and responsive tool for evaluating hand sensation following stroke.