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Computer adaptive test performance in children with and without disabilities: prospective field study of the PEDI-CAT
Helene M Dumas1, Maria A Fragala-Pinkham, Stephen M Haley
1Research Center, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Boston, MA 02135, USA. hdumas@fhfc.org
Purpose:
To examine the discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, administration time and acceptability of the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory computer adaptive test (PEDI-CAT).
Methods:
A sample of 102 parents of children 3 through 20 years of age with (n = 50) and without (n = 52) disabilities was recruited for this prospective field study. A sub-sample (n = 25) also completed the PEDI-CAT a second time within one month. Parents completed 15 items in each of the four PEDI-CAT domains (daily activities, mobility, social/cognitive, responsibility) using a laptop computer. Following completion, parents answered a four-question user evaluation survey.
Results:
PEDI-CAT scores based on parent responses differentiated between groups of children with and without disabilities in all four domains. Test-retest reliability estimates were high (ICC = 0.96-0.99) for all four domains. The mean time to complete 60 items for the full sample (n = 102) was 12.66 minutes (SD = 4.47). Parents reported favorable reactions to the PEDI-CAT.
Conclusions:
The PEDI-CAT offers a valid and reliable assessment acceptable to parents.
