Item test-retest reliability and responsiveness of the School Outcomes Measure (SOM).
The School Outcomes Measure (SOM) is a minimal data set designed to measure outcomes of students who receive school-based occupational therapy and physical therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine item test-retest reliability and the responsiveness to change of the SOM. Thirty-two occupational therapists and physical therapists collected data on 73 students, age 3-21 years, stratified into two groups based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System: those with mild/moderate functional limitations (Levels I, II, III) and those with severe functional limitations (Levels IV, V). Weighted kappa statistics (0.68-1.0) indicate good to excellent item test-retest reliability. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that the SOM is responsive to change in children with mild/moderate functional limitations but is less responsive to change in children with severe functional limitations. The findings support the use of the SOM to measure outcomes for students with mild/moderate functional limitations as well as enabling program evaluation of therapy services provided in school settings. More research is needed to evaluate responsiveness in students with severe functional limitations.
Arnold
Sandra H
SH
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, College of Allied Health, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Sandra-arnold@ouhsc.edu
McEwen
Irene R
IR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004519:Education, Special; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D009825:Oklahoma; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index