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Validity of PROMIS® Pediatric Physical Activity Parent Proxy Short Form Scale as a Physical Activity Measure for
Nia Toomer-Mensah1,2,3, Margaret O'Neil4, Lori Quinn1
1Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 520 W. 120th Street, Building 528 Room 1056A, New York, NY 10027, USA.
Insights
The PROMIS Pediatric PA parent proxy scale shows promise for measuring physical activity in non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP), correlating well with accelerometry data. Further refinement is needed for face validity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Movement Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Traditional physical activity (PA) measurement tools have limitations for non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- Assessing PA amount and intensity is crucial for this population's health and well-being.
- The PROMIS Pediatric PA parent proxy short form 8a is a potential tool for this assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the face and construct validity of the PROMIS Pediatric PA parent proxy short form 8a.
- To assess its efficacy in measuring PA amount and intensity in non-ambulatory children with CP.
Main Methods:
- Face validity was assessed through interviews with parents and pediatric physical therapists (PTs).
- Construct validity involved a one-week observational study using PA monitors (Actigraph GT9X) and HR monitors (Fitbit Charge 4).
- Activity counts and intensity zones were compared to PROMIS T-scaled scores.
Main Results:
- Parents and PTs identified some PROMIS items as inappropriate for non-ambulatory children with CP.
- PA intensity measured by accelerometry activity counts strongly correlated with PROMIS PA scores.
- Small sample sizes limited the generalizability of findings.
Conclusions:
- Construct validity was established between PROMIS scores and accelerometry for PA amount and intensity in this cohort.
- Face validity concerns were noted by parents and PTs.
- The PROMIS Pediatric PA parent proxy short form 8a shows potential but requires further investigation and refinement for this population.
Abstract:
Background: Self-report physical activity (PA) scales, accelerometry, and heart rate (HR) monitoring are reliable tools for PA measurement for children with cerebral palsy (CP); however, there are limitations for those who are primary wheelchair users. The purpose of our study was to evaluate face and construct validity of the PROMIS® Pediatric PA parent proxy short form 8a in measuring PA amount and intensity in children with CP who are non-ambulatory. Methods: Face validity: Semi-structured interviews with parents and pediatric physical therapists (PTs) were conducted about the appropriateness of each item on the PROMIS® Pediatric PA short form. Construct validity: Children with CP who were non-ambulatory participated in a one-week observational study. PA amount and intensity were examined using PA monitors (Actigraph GT9X) and HR monitors (Fitbit Charge 4). Activity counts and time in sedentary and non-sedentary intensity zones were derived and compared to the PROMIS® T-scaled score. Results: Twenty-two physical therapists (PTs) and fifteen parents participated in the interviews, and ten children completed 1-week PA observation. Eight and seven participants completed sufficient time of uninterrupted PA and HR monitor wear, respectively. Parents and PTs agreed that several questions were not appropriate for children with CP who were non-ambulatory. PA intensity via activity counts derived from wrist worn monitors showed a strong positive correlation with the PROMIS® PA measure. Conclusions: Construct validity in our small sample was established between PROMIS® scores and accelerometry activity counts when documenting PA amount and intensity; however, there were some differences on PROMIS® face validity per parent and PT respondents. Despite some concerns regarding face validity, the PROMIS® Pediatric PA parent proxy short form 8a shows promise as a valid measure of physical activity amount and intensity in non-ambulatory children with CP, warranting further investigation and refinement.
