"Test D'evaluation Des Membres Superieurs Des Personnes Agees" (TEMPA) to assess upper limb activity in Parkinson's disease

Study Design: Cross-sectional and observational study. Purpose of the Study: Assess upper limb (UL) activity limitations using the "Test d'Evaluation des Membres Superieurs Des Personnes Agees" (TEMPA) in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and verify its clinimetrics properties. Methods: The following were evaluated: internal consistency, interrater and test-retest reliability; concurrent validity; convergent validity; know group's validity; minimal detectable change, floor and ceiling effects, and the relationship between UL activity limitations and the presence of freezing of gait. Results: Excellent reliability and interrater agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99 and kappa = 0.92) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97) were found, as well internal consistency (alpha = 0.99). A moderate negative correlation was found between TEMPA and section II of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (rho = -0.58; P =.001), and moderate/low between the test and the Nine Hole Peg Test values of the right UL and moderate for left UL (rho = 0.56 and rho = 0.41; P =.001) (rho = 0.52 and rho = 0.51; P = .001 and P = .002), respectively. No significant relationship was found with freezing episodes (P = .057). Discussion: TEMPA is useful for assessing UL activity limitations in PD, have adequate clinimetrics properties and is capable of detecting the influence of motor symptoms during the carrying out of daily living tasks. No differences were found between freezers and no freezers. (C) 2016 Hanley & Belfus, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.