Article

This review aims to identify psychometrically robust assessment tools
suitable for measuring elderly dysphagic patients' performance in eating for use
in clinical practice and research. METHOD: Electronic databases, related
citations and references were searched to identify assessment tools integrating
the complexity of the eating process. Papers were selected according to criteria
defined a priori. Data were extracted regarding characteristics of the assessment
tools and the evidence of reliability, validity and responsiveness. Quality
appraisal was undertaken using developed criteria concerning the study design,
the statistics used for the psychometric evaluation and the reported values.
RESULTS: Eight of fourteen identified assessment tools met the inclusion
criteria. Three assessment tools were specific to dementia, two were specific to
stroke and three targeted a range of neurological and geriatric conditions. The
rigor of the assessment tools' psychometric properties varied from no evidence
available to excellent evidence. Only two assessment tools were rated adequate to
excellent. CONCLUSION: 'The Minimal Eating Observation Form-Version II' to be
used for screening and 'The McGill Ingestive Skills Assessment' to be used for
treatment planning and monitoring appeared to be psychometrically robust for
clinical practice and research. However, further research on their psychometric
properties is needed.

Langue : ANGLAIS