The Japanese Version of the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test

Abstract

To improve upper-limb function in children with cerebral palsy (CP), adequate assessment tools are essential for rehabilitation; however, there have been very few assessment tools with acceptable validity and reliability for use in Japan to date. The aim of this study was to describe the process of translating the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) into Japanese and to examine its psychometric properties. The QUEST was translated using a forward-backward method. Sixty-one children aged 2–18 years with a diagnosis of CP underwent assessment, with video-based reliability assessments conducted for 38 of them. The intra-class correlation coefficients were 0.94 for inter-rater reliability and 0.97 for intra-rater reliability. The total score showed a strong correlation with the Manual Ability Classification System (ρ = −0.65). A questionnaire of experts showed generally good content validity. The Japanese version of the QUEST was found to be both valid and reliable.

Plain Language Summary

Translation, Reliability, and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test for Children With Cerebral Palsy

To improve hand function in children with cerebral palsy (CP), adequate assessment tools are essential for rehabilitation; however, to date, here have been very few tools for measuring or evaluating hand function with acceptable validity and reliability available for use in Japan. The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) is one such standardized measure for evaluating hand function of children with CP. The aim of this study was to describe the process of translating the English version of the QUEST into Japanese and to examine its validity and reliability. The QUEST was translated using an internationally recognized translating process. Sixty-one children aged 2–18 years with a diagnosis of CP subsequently underwent QUEST assessment, with video-based reliability assessments conducted for 38 of them. This study has clarified that the Japanese version of the QUEST can accurately and reliably assess the hand function of children with CP. If the Japanese version of the QUEST becomes widely used, children with CP and their families will be able to receive accurate hand function assessments anywhere in Japan, leading to a better understanding of their condition, appropriate goal setting, and application of effective rehabilitation programs. For occupational therapists, The Japanese version of the QUEST will be a useful tool for the assessment of hand function across disciplines and without the need for special training or expensive equipment. In addition, the use of a globally standardized assessment tool will enable high-quality clinical research concerning hand function to be disseminated from Japan in the future.