Validity of HAMIS: A test of hand mobility in scleroderma

Objective. Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS) is a hand function test for persons who have systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). The purpose of HAMIS is to obtain an estimation of the hand mobility that is precise enough to det ect limitation of motion at the same time as it indicates the ability to us e the hand in daily occupations. The aim of this study was to test psychome tric properties of the HAMIS, and the following aspects of HAMIS were exami ned: 1) the applicability of HAMIS, 2) concurrent validity, and 3) discrimi nating ability. Methods. Forty-five patients with scleroderma were assessed for range of mo tion (ROM), HAMIS, and skin thickness. In addition, 15 healthy individuals completed HAMIS. Results. The applicability of HAMIS was good for items assessing finger and thumb mobility and moderate for items assessing mobility of the wrist and the forearm. The relationships of HAMIS to ROM and skin score were statisti cally significant for all items except for pronation and supination of the forearm. There were also statistically significant differences between the patients and the healthy individuals for all items except these two. Conclusion. HAMlS has a demonstrated concurrent validity compared with ROM and skin score, and it showed a good ability to discriminate between health y individuals and persons with scleroderma, although a lack of variation in the items measuring pronation and supination inferred worse psychometric p roperties for these two items.