Assessing self-care and social function using a computer adaptive testing version of the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory.
OBJECTIVE
To examine score agreement, validity, precision, and response burden of a prototype computer adaptive testing (CAT) version of the self-care and social function scales of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory compared with the full-length version of these scales.


METHODS
Computer simulation analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal retrospective data; cross-sectional prospective study.


METHODS
Pediatric rehabilitation hospital, including inpatient acute rehabilitation, day school program, outpatient clinics; community-based day care, preschool, and children's homes.


METHODS
Children with disabilities (n=469) and 412 children with no disabilities (analytic sample); 38 children with disabilities and 35 children without disabilities (cross-validation sample).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Summary scores from prototype CAT applications of each scale using 15-, 10-, and 5-item stopping rules; scores from the full-length self-care and social function scales; time (in seconds) to complete assessments and respondent ratings of burden.


RESULTS
Scores from both computer simulations and field administration of the prototype CATs were highly consistent with scores from full-length administration (r range, .94-.99). Using computer simulation of retrospective data, discriminant validity, and sensitivity to change of the CATs closely approximated that of the full-length scales, especially when the 15- and 10-item stopping rules were applied. In the cross-validation study the time to administer both CATs was 4 minutes, compared with over 16 minutes to complete the full-length scales.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-care and social function score estimates from CAT administration are highly comparable with those obtained from full-length scale administration, with small losses in validity and precision and substantial decreases in administration time.
Coster
Wendy J
WJ
Department of Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Counseling, Boston University Sargent College, Boston, MA 02215, USA. wjcoster@bu.edu
Haley
Stephen M
SM
Ni
Pengsheng
P
Dumas
Helene M
HM
Fragala-Pinkham
Maria A
MA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003198:Computer Simulation; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D012737:Sex Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012917:Social Adjustment