title: Validity and reliability of a visual scoring method for masticatory ability using test gummy jelly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For quantitative evaluation of masticatory ability of the elderly patients, there should be a simple and reliable method without special techniques and instruments.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a visual scoring method for assessing masticatory performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 10-stage scale for visually scoring was rated based on the range of the glucose concentration dissolved from comminuted jelly. Photographic images of comminuted jellies were produced as a standard material for each score. Fifty subjects were recruited as raters who graded the visual score for 50 photographic images of comminuted jellies on the screen of a lap-top three times in random order.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were strong correlations (rs = 0.911- 0.981, Spearman's rank coefficient) between the actual scores determined from the glucose concentration and the visual scores graded by subjects in all three measurements. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of the inter-rater reliability and the ICCs of the intra-rater reliability of the visual scoring ranged from 0.946 to 0.947 and from 0.860 to 0.987 in three measurements, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicated that the visual scoring method was valid and reliable for evaluation of masticatory performance.
authors.affiliation: Development Center for Evaluating Masticatory Function, Venture Business Laboratory, Office for University-Industry Collaboration, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. nokubi@dent.osaka-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nokubi
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshimuta
authors.forename: Fukuko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nokubi
authors.forename: Sakae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yasui
authors.forename: Chie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kusunoki
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: Yoshinobu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yokota
mesh_terms: D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D010316:Particle Size; D010781:Photography; D013499:Surface Properties; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D005947:Glucose