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A comparison of goal attainment scaling and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for paediatric
A Cusick1, S McIntyre, I Novak
1College of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Australia. a.cusik@uws.edu.au
Insights
The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) are both effective outcome measures for pediatric rehabilitation, with GAS showing higher sensitivity when using Likert scale coding. COPM offers greater time efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Outcome Measurement
- Clinical Instrumentation
Background:
- Paediatric rehabilitation requires sensitive outcome measures.
- Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) are commonly used.
- Investigating their comparative utility in children with cerebral palsy is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the utility of the adapted COPM and GAS as outcome measures in pediatric rehabilitation.
- To evaluate instrument sensitivity, convergent validity, goal/problem profiles, and administration efficiency.
Main Methods:
- A two-group pre-post design study involving 41 children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
- Children were randomized to occupational therapy alone or occupational therapy with Botulinum Toxin A injection.
- Intervention impact was assessed using both GAS and COPM.
Main Results:
- Both GAS and COPM demonstrated sensitivity to within-group and between-group changes.
- Likert scale coding for GAS was more sensitive than traditional weighted GAS or COPM.
- COPM was found to be more time-efficient for training, development, and administration.
Conclusions:
- The choice between COPM and GAS should be guided by study objectives, logistics, and resources.
- Both instruments are sensitive to change following a proven intervention.
- Each instrument measures distinct constructs, offering complementary information.
Purpose:
To investigate the relative utility of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) (adapted for children) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) as outcome measures for paediatric rehabilitation.
Methods:
A two-group pre-post design investigated the impact of a 3-month programme. Forty-one children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (mean 3.9 years; GMPM level 1; 21 boys, 10 girls) were randomized to occupational therapy only and occupational therapy plus one Botulinum Toxin A injection. The latter was considered a 'proven' intervention for the purpose of this instrumentation study. Intervention impact was investigated using GAS and COPM. Instrument sensitivity, convergent validity, goal/problem profiles and administration were evaluated.
Results:
Both instruments were sensitive to within group change and detected significant between group change. Likert scale coding for GAS scores was more sensitive than the traditional weighted GAS or COPM. Different constructs were measured by each instrument. COPM was more time efficient in training, development and administration.
Conclusion:
Study aim, logistic and resource factors should guide the choice of COPM and/or GAS instruments as both are sensitive to change with a proven intervention and both evaluate different constructs.
