Establishing expert consensus on the evaluation of pediatric upper extremity function.

STUDY DESIGN: Consensus statement. INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of consensus in the literature on the measures of pediatric upper extremity (UE) function for musculoskeletal conditions. PURPOSE: To establish expert consensus on utility, satisfaction and importance of functional outcome measures in children with UE musculoskeletal conditions, across International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains. METHODS: Using Delphi Consensus Methodology, expert panelists completed three rounds of questionnaires. RESULTS: Agreement on Body Functions and Structure, Activity, and Participation outcome measures was determined (α, ICC range = 0.86-0.96). Mean satisfaction of measures in the respective domains was between 6.93 and 7.94. The Activity domain had lowest satisfaction, however there was consensus it was the most important. DISCUSSION: Consensus on relative importance, but low satisfaction in the Activity domain suggests a need for better outcomes in this domain. CONCLUSIONS: Findings report the status of outcome measure utility and use in pediatric UE function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.