Child-Report Measures of Occupational Performance: A Systematic Review

Occupational Therapy Assessment Tools for Children and Adolescents in Iran: A Scoping Review

Background

Assessment tools are essential in occupational therapy for providing client-centered care, clinical decision-making, evidence-based documentation, and defining expected outcomes. This study investigated available occupational therapy assessment tools for children and adolescents in Iran.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed Central, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar from their inception until May 24, 2022. Two reviewers screened records and applied inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed articles in English or Persian, covering children and adolescents aged 0-18 years old in Iran. The methodological quality of each study and the evidence quality of each measurement tool was assessed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) Risk of Bias Checklist, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Results

A review of 66 articles published between 2010 and 2021, identified 51 assessment tools. The majority of tools (70.7%) targeted typically developing children and those with cerebral palsy, with limited options for adolescents (n=5) and infants (n=1). These tools primarily focused on assessing body functions (47.06%), particularly sensory-motor functions. While numerous tools demonstrated good reliability (66.67%) and significant content validity (31.37%), there was a paucity of high-quality evidence supporting other psychometric properties.

Conclusion

This study identified 51 occupational therapy assessment tools for Iranian children and adolescents. However, the present research identified some concerning trends, such as lack of tools available for specific populations, an overreliance on translated tools, and a predominant focus on body functions. Moreover, there were concerns about the methodological quality of studies using these tools.

The Sensory Processing Measure - Second Edition: A Critical Review and Appraisal

This paper aims to provide an overview and critique of the newly updated Sensory Processing Measure - second edition (SPM-2) to assist clinicians in understanding its strengths and limitations and in selecting an appropriate sensory processing scale that best meets their clients' needs. Using four established research methodological quality critique tools, the SPM-2's family of age-related versions was evaluated by administering the tools separately and discussed their scoring and findings to reach a consensus on all ratings. The tools identified several strengths and weaknesses of the SPM-2. The SPM-2's items on its age-related versions scored well in the criteria of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, explanation of the instrument design, construct validity, content validity, criterion validity and ease of administration, and scoring. However, a lack of normative data for participant groups outside of the United States, methodological limitations, and a lack of investigation into some important psychometric properties, particularly responsiveness, were identified as notable weaknesses of the SPM-2's items on its age-related versions based on the critique criteria. Overall, despite the areas needing further development and investigation, the SPM-2 is considered a psychometrically sound tool that provides a reliable and valid approach to measuring aspects of the sensory processing construct across the lifespan.

Assessing physical literacy with school-aged children in occupational therapy practice: An exploratory qualitative study

Introduction

Physical literacy (the physical, psychological, social and cognitive capacities needed for movement and physical activity) is arguably important to occupational therapy yet is not explicit within current practice. This study aimed to understand how occupational therapists can engage with the physical literacy concept.

Method

Eight paediatric occupational therapists were recruited by purposive sampling. Participants completed up to three semi-structured interviews to understand perspectives on physical literacy, introduce a novel pictorial assessment and to seek feedback on the assessment after trialling. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Sixteen interviews were conducted. Four themes were identified: 'Foreign tongue' (occupational therapists have an understanding of physical literacy but used different terminology); 'Sounds very OT oriented' (illustrating the connection between physical literacy and occupational therapy); 'We need the child's voice' (measure highlights the child's perspective); and 'Contemporary, useful BUT not for all' (measure had utility for some children but was dependant on child's condition).

Conclusion

Occupational therapists can apply the physical literacy construct to traditional models and core concepts. The assessment can be used in paediatric occupational therapy practice supported by clinical reasoning, although future tool iterations may need to accommodate some children with disability.

Child and adolescent participation measurement tools and their translations: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Numerous participation measurement tools targeting children and youth have been developed. Despite the translation of these tools into specific languages and cultures, the reliability and validity of the translated versions remain uncertain. To address this gap in knowledge, this study aims to identify tools for assessing the participation of children aged 5-18 years and to appraise the psychometric properties of their translated versions.

METHODS

Four electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies published in English. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines was followed. Study titles and abstracts were screened by four independent reviewers. Data were extracted for both original and translated versions of eligible tools. Instrument quality assessments were performed using the Outcome Measures Rating Form Guidelines. Any discrepancies were resolved by consensus.

RESULTS

Out of the 31 measurement tools examined, 18 tools had at least one translated version available, and among those original measurement tools, a total of 58 translated versions were identified. The most widely translated tool was the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (12 languages), and the most frequently translated language was Chinese (7 tools). Most translated versions verified internal consistency and content validity. Only three translated versions were verified inter-rater reliability, and seven translated versions were tested criterion validity with the gold standard tools assessing participation of children (e.g., accelerometer, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory and four 24-h recalls). None of the translated versions were tested for intra-rater reliability and responsiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings can support the selection of psychometrically sound tools for children with disabilities, given their culture and language, and tool quality.

Occupation as means and ends in paediatric occupational therapy - A systematic review

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of evidence-based knowledge in paediatric occupational therapy about the effectiveness of interventions using daily activities as a treatment modality in improving children's participation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of occupation-based and occupation-focused interventions in improving participation in everyday occupations for young children with a disability.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic review based on Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and critical appraisal tools was conducted. Six databases were searched for quantitative intervention studies aimed at improving participation in everyday occupations of young children with a disability through the use of everyday occupation.

RESULTS

The search yielded 3732 records, of which 13 studies met inclusion criteria. Ten studies met methodological quality criteria and were included in the synthesis, five randomised controlled trials and five quasi-experimental studies, involving a total of 424 children with a mean age of 6.5 years. The studies were classified into cognitive (n = 5), context-focussed (n = 2) and playgroup interventions (n = 3). Study quality ranged from low to moderate, only one study was rated high quality.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

Occupation-based and occupation-focused interventions may have a positive effect on participation in everyday occupations for young children with a disability, but study design, risk of bias and insufficient reporting limit confidence in the body of evidence.

Development of Postgraduate Psychiatric Nursing Students' Clinical Competency Questionnaire

Introduction

As to the significance of clinical competency, the competency concept should be up-to-date periodically until clinical competency is evaluated based on it. This study aimed to develop and evaluate psychometric properties of a new tool to measure the postgraduate psychiatric nursing students' competencies.

Methods

The current study was conducted with a sequential exploratory mixed-method, in Iran, in 2019 -2022. The qualitative part was conventional content analysis, and the quantitative part was a methodology study. The questionnaire was developed by the item generation via individual semi-structured interviews with 21 participants sampled purposefully, and a literature systematic review. In the quantitative phase, psychometric analysis was performed based on consensus-based standards for the selection of health status measurement instruments (COSMIN) criteria, and using face, content, and construct (i.e., convergent, known group, and exploratory factor analysis done on 199 postgraduate psychiatric nursing students by available sampling) validity. t-test analysis was used to compare the clinical competence ratings of two groups of experienced and inexperienced postgraduate psychiatric nursing students. Additionally, dependability was examined for internal consistency, stability over a one-month period, and measurement error. The sampling technique used for content validity was deliberate. Then, the responsiveness (through minimally detectable changes), and interpretability (through minimal important changes) were calculated.

Results

The questionnaire consisted of 43 items. Construct validity assessment via exploratory factor analysis (EFA) showed that 67.53% of the cumulative variance was explained by two factors: "Education and nursing care" (23 items) and "Evidence based psychiatric nursing interventions" (20 items). The convergent validity with one golden standard instrument was 0.49. The difference of the clinical competency scores of the two groups of experienced and novice was significant (p<0.001). The internal consistency of the entire instrument, and the first and second factors analyzed using alpha Cronbach (α) were respectively 0.947, 0.897, and 0.891. Stability was confirmed by the ICC agreement 0.956 for interrater (CI 0.907-0.980). Standard error of measurement was 3.14. The competency score of students based on their demographic information was not significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion

The 43-item postgraduate psychiatric nursing students' clinical competency questionnaire is a valid and reliable newly developed instrument. Further studies are recommended to be conducted to assess competency with the largest sample size to promote instrument.

Psychometric properties of clinical competency assessment instruments for psychiatric nurses: A systematic review of literature

BACKGROUND

Facilitating the healing process of patients with psychiatric disorders depends on high-quality mental health care and expert psychiatric nurses. A valid tool is required to objectively evaluate the quality of performance and competency of psychiatric nurses. This systematic review aimed to investigate and critique the psychometric properties of some psychiatric nursing clinical competency assessment instruments with Consensus-based standards for the selection of health status measurement instruments (COSMIN) checklist and according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To retrieve published articles using Persian and English keywords "psychiatric nursing," "competence," "competency," "tool," "checklist," "scale," "questionnaire," "psychiatric mental health nurse," were searched in databases without time limitation. Then, psychometric properties of selected instruments were evaluated using the COSMIN checklist and reported according to the PRISMA statement.

RESULTS

Most of these tools did not entirely and desirably report psychometric properties. It is not designed as a special tool for postgraduate psychiatric nursing.

CONCLUSION

The methodology of existing instruments does not meet the COSMIN checklist criteria; therefore it needs to develop. To assess the competency of psychiatric nursing postgraduate, a tool tailored to the cultural and social context and with acceptable psychometric properties is necessary.

An overview & critical review of the Sensory Profile - second edition

BACKGROUND

The Sensory Profile-2 (SP-2) is the recently revised set of scales that provide information about a child's responses to different types of sensory stimuli.

AIM

To examine the methodological quality and psychometric properties of the SP-2 using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) and Quality Criteria for Health Status Questionnaires (QCHSQ).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The methodological quality and psychometric properties for each of the SP-2 scales were examined by two assessors using the COSMIN and QCHSQ.

RESULTS

The COSMIN revealed that the SP-2 demonstrated strengths in patient-related outcome measure design and internal consistency. However, hypothesis testing, cross-cultural validity and structural validity (construct validity) were notable shortcomings. The QCHSQ indicated the SP-2 has merits in its content validity and construct validity. The SP-2 manual reported insufficient evidence of its responsiveness, interpretability and criterion validity.

CONCLUSION

Informed assessment selection is fundamental for evidence-based and quality occupational therapy practice provision. Overall, the SP-2 is considered to have adequate psychometric properties, however users should be mindful of the identified shortcomings.

SIGNIFICANCE

The review and critique of the SP-2 adds to the body of knowledge about the revised instrument and provides an objective perspective about its strengths and weaknesses.

Item Analysis, Age Trends, and Internal Consistency Reliability of the Children's Occupational Performance Questionnaire (COPQ)

IMPORTANCE

Occupational performance measures are essential for guiding client-centered interventions for children and for measuring progress and program outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and report on the psychometric properties of a new assessment tool, the Children's Occupational Performance Questionnaire (COPQ).

DESIGN

Descriptive and correlational methods were used.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample primarily from the northeastern United States was recruited, consisting of the caregivers of 156 children and 25 older children who completed the COPQ as a self-report. Participants' ages ranged from 2 mo to 19 yr. Seventy-five percent of them identified as typically developing, and 25% had a medical condition or disability affecting development.

OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Data from completed questionnaires assessing children with and without disabilities were used to explore aspects of the COPQ's content validity, including age trends and item difficulty. Internal consistency reliability was also examined for each of the five domains: Personal Activities of Daily Living, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Social Participation, Play/Leisure, and Education/Work.

RESULTS

Each COPQ domain showed strong internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α = .96-.99). Age trends indicated increasing competency in occupational performance with age across domains and supported occupational performance as a developmental construct.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The COPQ shows promise as a reliable occupational performance measure for children for both clinical and research purposes. Potential items for modification or deletion were identified to reduce redundancy and increase efficiency. Further study of the tool's psychometrics and normative data collection are needed.

WHAT THIS ARTICLE ADDS

The COPQ addresses all areas of occupational performance and is being developed as a valid, reliable assessment tool for children. It aims to assist in guiding occupational therapy interventions and detecting changes in occupational performance in response to treatment.

Selected root plant supplementation reduces indices of exercise-induced muscle damage: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of selected root plants (curcumin, ginseng, ginger and garlic) on markers of muscle damage and muscular performance measures following muscle-damaging protocols. We included 25 studies (parallel and crossover design) with 353 participants and used the PEDro scale to appraise each study. Forest plots were generated to report on standardised mean differences (SMD) and p-values at 24 and 48 hours following the muscle-damaging protocols. The meta-analysis showed that the supplemental (SUPP) condition showed significantly lower levels of indirect muscle damage markers (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and myoglobin) and muscle soreness at 24 hours and 48 hours (p < 0.01) than the placebo (PLA) condition. The inflammatory markers were significantly lower for the SUPP condition than the PLA condition at 24 hours (p = 0.02), although no differences were identified at 48 hours (p = 0.40). There were no significant differences in muscular performance measures between the SUPP and PLA conditions at 24 hours and 48 hours (p > 0.05) post-exercise. According to our qualitative data, a number of studies reported a reduction in oxidative stress (e.g., malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase) with a concomitant upregulation of anti-oxidant status, although other studies showed no effects. Accordingly, selected root plants minimised the level of several biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammation and muscle soreness during periods of exercise-induced muscle damage. However, the benefits of these supplements in ameliorating oxidative stress, increasing anti-oxidant status and accelerating recovery of muscular performance appears equivocal, warranting further research in these outcome measures.

Convergent validity and reliability of a novel repeated agility protocol in junior rugby league players

Background: Rugby league involves repeated, complex, change-of-direction movements, although there are no test protocols that specifically assesses these physical fitness profiles. Thus, the current study examined the convergent validity and reliability of a repeated Illinois Agility (RIA) protocol in adolescent Rugby League players. Methods: Twenty-two junior Rugby League players completed 4 sessions with each separated by 7 days. Initially, physical fitness characteristics at baseline (i.e., multi-stage fitness, countermovement jump, 30-m sprint, single-effort agility and repeated sprint ability [RSA]) were assessed. The second session involved a familiarisation of RIA and repeated T-agility test (RTT) protocols. During the third and fourth sessions, participants completed the RIA and RTT protocols in a randomised, counterbalanced design to examine the validity and test-retest reliability of these protocols. Results: For convergent validity, significant correlations were identified between RIA and RTT performances (r= >0.80; p<0.05). For contributors to RIA performance, significant correlations were identified between all baseline fitness characteristics and RIA (r = >0.71; p < 0.05). Reliability of the RIA protocol was near perfect with excellent intra-class correlation coefficient (0.87-0.97), good ratio limits of agreement (×/÷ 1.05-1.06) and low coefficient of variations (1.77-1.97%). Conclusions: The current study has demonstrated the RIA to be a simple, valid and reliable field test that can provide coaches with information about their athlete's ability to sustain high intensity, multi-directional running efforts.

Convergent validity and reliability of a novel repeated agility protocol in junior rugby league players

Background:: Rugby league involves repeated, complex, and high intensity change-of-direction (COD) movements with no existing test protocols that specifically assesses these multiple physical fitness components simultaneously. Thus, the current study examined the convergent validity of a repeated Illinois Agility (RIA) protocol with the repeated T-agility protocol, and the repeatability of the RIA protocol in adolescent Rugby League players. Furthermore, aerobic capacity and anaerobic and COD performance were assessed to determine whether these physical qualities were important contributors to the RIA protocol. Methods: Twenty-two junior Rugby League players completed 4 sessions with each separated by 7 days. Initially, physical fitness characteristics at baseline (i.e., Beep test,, countermovement jump, 30-m sprint, single-effort COD and repeated sprint ability [RSA]) were assessed. The second session involved a familiarisation of RIA and repeated T-agility test (RTT) protocols. During the third and fourth sessions, participants completed the RIA and RTT protocols in a randomised, counterbalanced design to examine the validity and test-retest reliability of these protocols. Results: For convergent validity, significant correlations were identified between RIA and RTT performances (r= >0.80; p<0.05). For contributors to RIA performance, significant correlations were identified between all baseline fitness characteristics and RIA (r = >0.71; p < 0.05). Reliability of the RIA protocol was near perfect with excellent intra-class correlation coefficient (0.87-0.97), good ratio limits of agreement (×/÷ 1.05-1.06) and low coefficient of variations (1.8-2.0%). Conclusions: The current study has demonstrated the RIA to be a simple, valid and reliable field test for RL athletes that can provide coaches with information about their team's ability to sustain high intensity, multi-directional running efforts.

Convergent validity and reliability of a novel repeated agility protocol in junior rugby league players

Background: : Rugby league involves repeated, complex, and high intensity change-of-direction (COD) movements with no existing test protocols that specifically assesses these multiple physical fitness components simultaneously. Thus, the current study examined the convergent validity of a repeated Illinois Agility (RIA) protocol with the repeated T-agility protocol, and the repeatability of the RIA protocol in adolescent Rugby League players. Furthermore, aerobic capacity and anaerobic and COD performance were assessed to determine whether these physical qualities were important contributors to the RIA protocol. Methods: Twenty-two junior Rugby League players completed 4 sessions with each separated by 7 days. Initially, physical fitness characteristics at baseline (i.e., Multi-stage Shuttle test, countermovement jump, 30-m sprint, single-effort COD and repeated sprint ability [RSA]) were assessed. The second session involved a familiarisation of RIA and repeated T-agility test (RTT) protocols. During the third and fourth sessions, participants completed the RIA and RTT protocols in a randomised, counterbalanced design to examine the validity and test-retest reliability of these protocols. Results: For convergent validity, significant correlations were identified between RIA and RTT performances (r= >0.80; p<0.05). For contributors to RIA performance, significant correlations were identified between all baseline fitness characteristics and RIA (r = >0.71; p < 0.05). Reliability of the RIA protocol was near perfect with excellent intra-class correlation coefficient (0.87-0.97), good ratio limits of agreement (×/÷ 1.05-1.06) and low coefficient of variations (1.8-2.0%). Conclusions: The current study has demonstrated the RIA to be a simple, valid and reliable field test for RL athletes that can provide coaches with information about their team's ability to sustain high intensity, multi-directional running efforts.

Obstetric triage systems: a systematic review of measurement properties (Clinimetric)

BACKGROUND

Since labor and delivery units often serve as emergency units for pregnant women, the use of obstetric triage systems with poor or inadequate quality can lead to unintended consequences such as over and under-triage and so a waste of humans and financial resources. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to evaluate the measurement properties of obstetric triage tools.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline were searched to identify studies in October 2018 and were updated in May 2019. The risk of bias COSMIN checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. The quality of every measurement property was appraised by the update criteria of COSMIN. Evidence quality was judged using the modified GRADE approach.

RESULTS

A total of 444 studies were retrieved in initial search. Six studies evaluating 4 tools were included in this study. All the included studies reported only content validity and reliability. The quality of evidence varied from very low to moderate. The quality of content validity and reliability of the included tools was sufficient except for the reliability of the maternal-fetal triage index. The obstetric triage acuity scale (OTAS) was found to have higher reliability than other tools.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to insufficient evidence, the conclusions about the quality of measurement properties of each obstetric triage tool may be uncertain. This review emphasizes the necessity for further studies with robust methodological quality on the measurement properties of obstetric triage tools.

Systematic Review of Self-Report Measures of General Mental Health and Wellbeing in Adolescent Mental Health

The assessment of general mental health and wellbeing is important within child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) for both clinicians and policy makers. Measurement tools are routinely relied upon to aid assessment and to monitor and evaluate treatment and service effectiveness. We conducted a systematic review using the COSMIN checklist to identify measures of general mental health and wellbeing for an adolescent mental health population. A systematic database search was performed using PsychINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Database searching produced 9587 records, with 27 papers meeting eligibility criteria and 16 measures identified and critically appraised. The Y-QOL-R and the Y-QOL.30.1 had the most robust psychometric properties. When considering the clinical utility of measures alongside psychometric properties of measures, the GHQ-12, ORS and YP CORE had the greatest clinical utility. The psychometric quality of measures reviewed overall, however, were generally poor in quality. Measuring outcomes in CAMHS and ensuring appropriate treatment pathways for young people is important. This review highlights the need for more robust testing of the psychometric properties of adolescent measures. When selecting measurement tools, clinicians should not only consider the purpose of the measure, (i.e., discriminative, predictive, and evaluative) and characteristics of the instrument (e.g., intended population, measure length), but should also the quality of the psychometric properties of the instrument.

Comparison of psychometric properties between recall methods of interview-based physical activity questionnaires: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

This systematic review examined the methodological quality of studies and assessed the psychometric qualities of interview-administered Past-week and Usual-week Physical Activity Questionnaires (PAQs). Pubmed and Embase were used to retrieve data sources.

METHODS

The studies were selected using the following eligibility criteria: 1) psychometric properties of PAQs were assessed in adults; 2) the PAQs either consisted of recall periods of usual 7-days (Usual-week PAQs) within the past 12 months or during the past 7-days (Past-week PAQs); and 3) PAQs were interview-administered. The COSMIN taxonomy was utilised to critically appraise study quality and a previously established psychometric criteria employed to evaluate the overall psychometric qualities.

RESULTS

Following screening, 42 studies were examined to determine the psychometric properties of 20 PAQs, with the majority of studies demonstrating good to excellent ratings for methodological quality. For convergent validity (i.e., the relationship between PAQs and other measures), similar overall associations were found between Past-week PAQs and Usual-week PAQs. However, PAQs were more strongly associated with direct measures of physical activity (e.g., accelerometer) than indirect measures of physical activity (i.e., physical fitness), irrespective of recall methods. Very few psychometric properties were examined for each PAQ, with the majority exhibiting poor ratings in psychometric quality. Only a few interview-administered PAQs exhibited positive ratings for a single psychometric property, although the other properties were either rated as poor or questionable, demonstrating the limitations of current PAQs.

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, further research is necessary to explore a greater number of psychometric properties, or to develop new PAQs by addressing the psychometric limitations identified in the current review.

Overview of reviews of standardised occupation-based instruments for use in occupational therapy practice

INTRODUCTION

Using standardised instruments is one approach to support evidence-based practice. Referring to systematic reviews is an option to identify suitable instruments. However, with an abundance of systematic reviews available, therapists are challenged to identify an appropriate instrument to use. Therefore, this overview of reviews aimed to summarise relevant systematic review findings about standardised occupation-based instruments relevant for occupational therapy practice.

METHODS

An overview of reviews was conducted. A systematic search was performed on four databases up to March 2018. Included systematic reviews were analysed for quality using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR).

RESULTS

A total of 2187 articles were identified after removing duplicates. Ultimately, 58 systematic reviews were identified that yielded 641 instruments. From those, 45 instruments were selected for appraisal as they met the inclusion criteria of being developed mainly by occupational therapists and were recommended in the summarised findings from the systematic reviews. The instruments were classified according to the following occupation domains: (i) multidimensional, (ii) activities of daily living, (iii) productivity, (iv) social, (v) sleep/rest, (vi) sexuality and (vii) spirituality. No systematic review was identified that specifically focussed on occupations related to school/education, leisure and play.

DISCUSSION

Certain occupation domains such as activities of daily living, social and sleep/rest received high attention amongst researchers. There is a need for systematic reviews of instruments to measure education/school, play and leisure. Limited numbers of instruments were developed by occupational therapists outside the occupation domain of activities of daily living, and in areas of practice other than children and older people. Nevertheless, this overview can give some guidance for occupational therapists in selecting a suitable occupational therapy instrument for practice.

Evaluating the psychometric quality of school connectedness measures: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

There is a need to comprehensively examine and evaluate the quality of the psychometric properties of school connectedness measures to inform school based assessment and intervention planning.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature on the psychometric properties of self-report measures of school connectedness for students aged six to 14 years.

METHODS

A systematic search of five electronic databases and gray literature was conducted. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of heath Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) taxonomy of measurement properties was used to evaluate the quality of studies and a pre-set psychometric criterion was used to evaluate the overall quality of psychometric properties.

RESULTS

The measures with the strongest psychometric properties was the School Climate Measure and the 35-item version Student Engagement Instrument exploring eight and 12 (of 15) school connectedness components respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall quality of psychometric properties was limited suggesting school connectedness measures available require further development and evaluation.

Psychometric Characteristics of Non-instrumental Swallowing and Feeding Assessments in Pediatrics: A Systematic Review Using COSMIN

As early diagnosis of swallowing and feeding difficulties in infants and children is of utmost importance, there is a need to evaluate the quality of the psychometric properties of pediatric assessments of swallowing and feeding. A systematic review was performed summarizing the psychometric properties of non-instrumental assessments for swallowing and feeding difficulties in pediatrics; no data were identified for the remaining twelve assessments. The COSMIN taxonomy and checklist were used to evaluate the methodological quality of 23 publications on psychometric properties. For each assessment, an overall quality score for each measurement property was determined. As psychometric data proved incomplete, conflicting or indeterminate for all assessments, only preliminary conclusions could be drawn; the most robust assessment based on current data is the dysphagia disorder survey (DDS). However, further research is needed to provide additional information on all psychometric properties for all assessments.

Comparison of psychometric properties between usual-week and past-week self-reported physical activity questionnaires: a systematic review

The aim was to critically appraise the methodological quality of studies and determine the psychometric qualities of Past-week and Usual-week Physical Activity Questionnaires (PAQs). Data sources were obtained from Pubmed and Embase. The eligibility criteria for selecting studies included: 1) at least one psychometric property of PAQs was examined in adults; 2) the PAQs either had a recall period of usual 7-days (Usual-week PAQs) within the past 12 months or during the past 7-days (Past-week PAQs); and 3) PAQs were self-administered. Study quality was evaluated using the COSMIN taxonomy and the overall psychometric qualities evaluated using pre-established psychometric criteria. Overall, 45 studies were reviewed to assess the psychometric properties of 21 PAQs with the methodological quality of most studies showing good to excellent ratings. When the relationship between PAQs and other instruments (i.e., convergent validity) were compared between recall methods, Past-week PAQs appeared to have stronger correlations than Usual-week PAQs. For the overall psychometric quality, the Incidental and Planned Exercise Questionnaire for the Usual-week (IPEQ-WA) and for the Past-week (IPEQ-W) had the greatest number of positive ratings. For all included PAQs, very few psychometric properties were assessed with poor ratings for the majority of the overall qualities of psychometric properties indicating the limitation of current PAQs. More research that covers a greater spectrum of psychometric properties is required to gain a better understanding of the qualities of current PAQs.