Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy

To investigate whether topical agents of herbal origin used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have real biological effects on limb swelling and tissue healing.

Formation of an innovative formula was achieved through a literature screening of over 200 herbs. The herbs selected have been reported to be anti-inflammatory, promoting circulation and supporting tissue/bone healing. In vitro and in vivo tests were done to investigate the biological effects of the herbs.

Topical agent for tissue swelling: (a) The herbs were found to facilitate the transport of a chemical through an artificial membrane and porcine skin in a diffusion chamber; (b) the herbal bath was found to positively reduce hand and foot swelling. Topical agent for fracture healing: (a) In vitro tests showed positive anti-inflammatory, circulation promotion and tissue healing effects of a six herbs formula; (b) treated animals showed bigger callus, higher serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase and better mechanical strength; (c) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry testing showed that there was a real transport of chemical markers across the skin.

TCM herbal agents used topically for hand swelling and tissue healing do have demonstrable scientific basis. Further research is justified.

Although the effectiveness of counterforce braces has been reported in patients with lateral epicondylosis over the elbow, its immediate effect is limited. This research was to study the immediate effects of counterforce forearm brace on grip strength and wrist extension force in patients.

Fifteen patients (9 women and 6 men) with lateral epicondylosis (M ± SD, 8.1 ± 1.1 weeks) on their dominant arm participated in this study. We tested grip strength, wrist extension muscle force and range of motion (ROM) wrist extension immediately after application of counterforce forearm brace in the affected and unaffected arms.

Among the variables, significant differences were found in grip strength (p =.02) and wrist extension muscle force (p =.001), but changes in ROM of wrist extension were not statistically significant (p = .98).

Using the counterforce forearm brace increased the rate of grip strength and wrist extension muscle force in patients with lateral epicondylosis. However, our findings did not support the use of the counterforce brace in increasing ROM in wrist extension.

In the traditional view of validity, it is divided it into three sub-types: content, criterion-related, and construct. Validity has recently been reconceptualized as a unitary factor known as construct validity. Five sources of construct validity evidence have been specified: test content, response processes, internal structure, relationships to other variables, and consequential aspects of construct validity. They function either as general validity criteria or as standards for all assessment and measurement.

The purpose of the manuscript is to present an overview of the contemporary conceptualization of construct validity and its relevance to occupational therapy practice, education, and research.

Taken together, the five components of construct validity evidence provide a way of addressing the multiple and interrelated validity questions that need to be answered in order to justify occupational therapy test score interpretation and use by practitioners. Given the context of evidence-based practice, professional standards of practice, increasing calls for accountability, and the fact that validity of a test, instrument, or scale is now seen as being a dynamic process, it is important for occupational therapists to be conversant with this contemporary view of construct validity, and the body of validity evidence related to the assessment tools used in clinical practice.