Article

The aim of this article was to determine item measurement properties of a set
of items selected from the Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) and
the Pediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) using Rasch analysis,
and to explore relationships between the FAQ/PODCI combined set of items, FAQ
walking scale level, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels,
and the Gait Deviation Index on a common measurement scale. Method Rasch analysis
was performed on data from a retrospective chart review of parent-reported FAQ
and PODCI data from 485 individuals (273 males; 212 females; mean age 9y 10mo, SD
3y 10mo) who underwent first-time three-dimensional gait analysis. Of the 485
individuals, 289 had a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (104 GMFCS level I, 97 GMFCS
level II, 69 GMFCS level III, and 19 GMFCS level IV). Rasch-based person
abilities and item difficulties based on subgroups defined by the FAQ walking
scale level, Gait Deviation Index, and the GMFCS level were compared. Results The
FAQ/PODCI item set demonstrated necessary Rasch characteristics to support its
use as a combined measurement scale. Item groupings at similar difficulty levels
were consistent with the mean person abilities of subgroups based on FAQ walking
scale level, Gait Deviation Index, and GMFCS level. Interpretation Rasch-derived
person ability scores from the FAQ/PODCI combined item set are consistent with
clinical measures. Rasch analysis provides insights that may improve
interpretation of the difficulty of motor functions for children with
disabilities.
CI - (c) The Authors. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (c) 2012 Mac Keith
Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS