Psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Jebsen-Taylor test for adults with mild hemiparesis

Objectives: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Jebsen-Taylor Test (JTT) in patients with stroke. Methods: Forty participants who suffered a stroke in the cerebral hemisphere were videotaped while performing the JTT. Scores were defined by the time taken to perform the tasks, and two physical therapists evaluated the performance of the participants. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was defined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) through videotape analysis. Cronbach's alpha and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) were used to measure the internal consistency of the scale. Confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and the influence of handedness and educational level on the JTT scores was evaluated. Results: Inter-rater (ICC = 1.0; CI, 1.0-1.0) and intra-rater reliabilities (ICC=0.997; CI, 0.995-0.998) were excellent. Regarding internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha was 0.924. The item "writing a sentence" was less consistent than the other items (Cronbach's alpha=0.884). Pearson's r (item score - total score) was lower for the item "small objects" (r=0.657). There was no significant influence of handedness or educational level on the JTT scores. Conclusions: Videotaping test performances can be a useful tool in multicenter studies if inter-rater reliability is appropriate. The inter- and intra-rater reliabilities of the Portuguese version of the JTT were excellent in patients with stroke. The JTT can be a valuable tool for evaluating dexterity in research protocols aiming at efficacy of rehabilitation interventions.Original Abstract: Objetivos: Avaliar as propriedades psicometricas da versao em Portugues do teste de Jebsen-Taylor (TJT) em pacientes com acidente vascular encefalico (AVE). Metodos: Quarenta pacientes com AVEs em hemisferios cerebrals foram filmados enquanto realizaram o TJT. A pontuacao no teste e definida pelo tempo de execucao de tarefas motoras. Duas fisioterapeutas avaliaram o desempenho dos pacientes. Por meio das analises dos videos, foram determinadas as confiabilidades intra e interexaminador, pelos coeficientes de correlacao intraclasse (CCI). O alfa de Crobach e o coeficiente de correlacao de Pearson (r) foram utilizados para medir a consistencia interna da escala. Foram avaliados os efeitos de dominancia manual e escolaridade sobre a pontuacao no TJT. Resultados: Houve excelentes correlacoes interexaminador (CCI=1,0; intervalo de confianca, 1,0-1,0) e intraexaminador (CCI=0,997; in