The Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) is a widely recognized and standardized assessment tool designed to evaluate a person’s fine motor skills and overall dexterity through tasks that simulate daily living activities. This assessment provides quantifiable data on hand performance in rehabilitation and various clinical settings.
What is the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test?
The JTHFT, developed in 1969 by a team of American researchers, is one of the oldest and most commonly used tools for quantifying hand motor function. It was initially designed for patients with cervical spinal cord injuries but gained widespread use due to its practicality and simplicity. The test assesses a broad range of everyday hand activities, covering components from both activity and functioning categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). It includes tasks that assess fine motor skills, as well as functional tasks involving both weighted and non-weighted objects. The JTHFT is administered to assess both the dominant and non-dominant hands to provide a comprehensive picture of an individual’s hand capabilities.
Clinical Applications of the Test
The JTHFT is widely applied in various clinical scenarios and for different conditions affecting hand function. It is a valid assessment tool for measuring hand dysfunctions in diverse patient populations. The test is frequently used in the diagnosis of conditions such as stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, hand and wrist fractures, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Beyond diagnosis, the JTHFT is instrumental in tracking progress during rehabilitation. Clinicians use it to monitor changes in hand function following injuries or interventions, providing objective data on a patient’s recovery trajectory. This helps in evaluating the effectiveness of therapies and understanding the functional impact of an impairment on an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks.
How the Test is Performed
The JTHFT consists of seven specific subtests, each designed to mimic common activities of daily living and assess different aspects of hand function. The test is timed, and each task is performed separately with one hand, typically starting with the non-dominant hand. The maximum time allotted for completing a single subtest is 120 seconds.
The seven subtests include:
- Writing a short, 24-letter sentence with a third-grade reading difficulty, which evaluates fine motor skills and dexterity.
- Turning over 3×5-inch cards, simulating page-turning or handling cards to assess coordination.
- Picking up small common objects like pennies, paper clips, and bottle caps and placing them in a container, measuring precision and grip.
- Simulated feeding, involving using a spoon to pick up beans and transfer them into a container, mimicking eating.
- Stacking checkers, which assesses hand-eye coordination.
- Moving large light objects, such as empty cans, to evaluate the ability to handle bulky items.
- Moving large heavy objects, specifically 0.45 kg (1 lb) weighted cans, assessing strength and control.
Interpreting Test Results
The results of the JTHFT are primarily measured in seconds, reflecting the time taken to complete each task. A lower time score indicates better hand function and dexterity. The total score is calculated by summing the completion times for all seven subtests, rounded to the nearest second.
Clinicians compare these individual and total scores to established normative data, which is available for different age groups and genders. This comparison helps identify specific areas of hand dysfunction and quantify the severity of any impairment. For instance, a result greater than 2.0, calculated using a specific formula involving normative time and standard deviation, can indicate that a patient is performing a task too slowly, suggesting impaired motor function.
The objective data obtained from the JTHFT is then used to set measurable rehabilitation goals and monitor a patient’s progress over time. While normative data is useful for individuals with non-impaired function, for patients with significant motor disorders, the test serves as an effective tool for tracking changes in function before and after interventions.