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The Children's Eating and Drinking Activity Scale: Interrater reliability, concurrent validity, and responsiveness
Ericka Joinelle Mantaring1, Sheung Yu Sylfiana Wong1, Michelle McInerney1
1Department of Language and Cognition, University College London, London, UK.
Aim:
To assess the interrater reliability, concurrent validity, and responsiveness of the Children's Eating and Drinking Activity Scale (CEDAS).
Method:
Interrater reliability was assessed using an online questionnaire completed by speech and language therapists working in hospital and community settings. Participants (n = 39) applied CEDAS to 12 vignettes. Interrater reliability was calculated using Krippendorff's alpha (α). Additionally, CEDAS was applied retrospectively to consecutive speech and language therapy referrals at a single hospital (n = 85, median age 11 years 2 months, range 1 week-17 years 1 month). Responsiveness was assessed by comparing median CEDAS scores at referral, after initial speech and language therapy assessment, and at discharge. The Functional Status Scale (FSS) feeding domain was used to evaluate concurrent validity.
Results:
Interrater reliability was excellent (Krippendorff's α = 0.927). CEDAS was responsive to change, with expected score increases seen between referral and discharge (Z = -4.37, p < 0.001), and initial assessment and discharge (Z = -3.23, p < 0.001). Strong concurrent validity was established with the FSS (rs = -0.77 to -0.99, p < 0.003).
Interpretation:
CEDAS demonstrates excellent interrater reliability across clinical settings. It is a responsive tool with established construct validity when used in an acute hospital setting.
