The reproducibility and validity of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure in parents of children with disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
To study the reproducibility (inter-rater agreement), the construct and criterion validity of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in the parents of children with disabilities.


METHODS
The COPM was administered twice by two different occupational therapists. The inter-rater agreement of the content of the prioritized problems was explored. Data analysis of the reproducibility of the scores was based on the Bland and Altman method. Measures used: The construct validity was studied by comparing the results of the COPM with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, and a quality of life questionnaire. The criterion validity was verified with an open-ended question.


METHODS
Occupational therapy departments of a university hospital and three rehabilitation institutes.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-nine consecutive parents of children referred for occupational therapy.


RESULTS
Data were obtained for 80 children with a mean age of 3.7 years (range 1-7.5). Of the prioritized problems identified in the first interview, 80% were also prioritized in the second interview. The limits of agreement were - 2.4 to +2.3 for the mean performance score and - 2.3 to + 2.6 for the mean satisfaction score. Assumptions about the construct and criterion validity were confirmed.


CONCLUSIONS
The inter-rater agreement of the prioritized problems is good enough for client-centred occupational therapy. The reproducibility of the performance and satisfaction scores is moderate. The results support the construct and criterion validity. The COPM identifies many child-unique problems that are not assessed with existing standardized measurement instruments or with a simple open-ended question.
Verkerk
Gijs J Q
GJ
Department of Rehabilitation, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. g.j.Verkerk@amc.uva.nl
Wolf
Marie Jeanne M A G
MJ
Louwers
Annoek M
AM
Meester-Delver
Anke
A
Nollet
Frans
F
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D010290:Parents; D015203:Reproducibility of Results