Abstract
[Purpose] To develop a short form of the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF), to evaluate upper-extremity function while sitting in a wheelchair. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty-one healthy adults. The subjects underwent 10 STEF subtests while sitting in a wheelchair. With the time needed to complete each subtest as a variable, principal component analysis was performed to extract subtests showing greater principal component loadings, to identify components for the short form. [Results] Short forms, consisting of 4 (small cubes, large balls, medium cubes, and pins) and 5 (small cubes, large balls, medium cubes, wooden disks, and pins) of the 10 STEF tests showed high levels of internal consistency. The total time to complete the short form significantly correlated with that needed to complete the 10 tests. [Conclusion] The short form of the STEF was confirmed to have sufficient internal consistency and concurrent validity.
