Convergent Validity and Test-Retest Reliability of the Blast Exposure Threshold Survey Among Army Special Operations
Eric Shumski1,2,3, Deanna Pinnow1,4,5, Christy Mote1,5,6
1Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring, MD.
Summary
The Blast Exposure Threshold Survey (BETS) shows strong convergent validity for generalized blast exposure value (GBEV) but has moderate test-retest reliability. Caution is advised when interpreting BETS results, particularly with high blast exposures, due to recall issues.
Area of Science:
- Military Medicine
- Occupational Health
- Trauma Research
Background:
- The Blast Exposure Threshold Survey (BETS) is a self-report tool to assess lifetime generalized blast exposure value (GBEV).
- Understanding the reliability and validity of GBEV is crucial for assessing blast-related health risks in military personnel.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the convergent validity of the GBEV.
- To assess the test-retest reliability of GBEV and individual BETS items.
Main Methods:
- A prospective-cohort study involving Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) trainers and trainees.
- BETS was administered before and at 1 and 8 weeks after Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) training.
- Convergent validity was assessed using Spearman's rho correlations, and test-retest reliability was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3,1).
Main Results:
- GBEV demonstrated moderate convergent validity with proxy measures of blast exposure (rho range: 0.595-0.672).
- GBEV showed moderate test-retest reliability (ICC3,1=0.576), while individual weapon categories had poor-to-moderate reliability (ICC3,1 range: 0.070-0.766).
- Item-level reliability varied from poor to excellent (ICC3,1 range: -0.145-0.843), with worse recall associated with higher GBEV scores.
Conclusions:
- GBEV exhibits strong convergent validity but only moderate test-retest reliability.
- Interpretation of BETS results requires caution, especially in populations with significant blast exposure, due to potential recall bias.
- The study's small sample size may limit the generalizability of findings.
Keywords:
Blast Ordnance Occupation Exposure Measureconcussiongeneralized blast exposure valuemild traumatic brain injurypsychometricsMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:04Significance Testing: Overview
10.2K
Significance testing is a set of statistical methods used to test whether a claim about a parameter is valid. In analytical chemistry, significance testing is used primarily to determine whether the difference between two values comes from determinate or random errors. The effect of a particular change in the measurement protocol, analyst, or sample itself can cause a deviation from the expected result. In the case of a suspected deviation/outlier, we need to be able to confirm mathematically...
10.2K
01:21Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
1.3K
For AAS measurements, samples must be introduced as clear solutions, often requiring extensive preliminary treatment to dissolve materials like soils, animal tissues, and minerals. Common methods for sample preparation include treatment with hot mineral acids, wet ashing, combustion in closed containers, high-temperature ashing, or fusion with reagents.
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
1.3K
01:29Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
873
AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...
873
01:02Flame Photometry: Overview
2.0K
Flame photometry, also known as flame emission spectrometry, is a technique used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of elements present in a sample using a flame as the source of excitation energy. The concept of flame photometry was realized in the early 1860s by Kirchhoff and Bunsen, who discovered that specific elements emit characteristic radiation when excited in flames. The first instrument developed for this purpose was used to measure sodium (Na) in plant ash using a Bunsen...
2.0K