Exploring the capacity to ambulate after a period of prolonged mechanical ventilation

Purpose

The purposes were to assess the functional recovery of those who survived a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay by reporting the proportion who were able to ambulate independently at hospital discharge and also to examine if the time duration between admission and when the patient first stood impacted on their capacity to ambulate at discharge.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of medical records of ICU patients in 2007 to 2008, who were mechanically ventilated for 168 hours or more, and survived their acute care stay. Main outcome measures were (1) ambulation status before admission and at time of hospital discharge and (2) time between admission to the ICU and when the patient first stood.

Results

A total of 190 patients were included. Before admission, 189 (99%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 98%-100%) were ambulating independently, of whom 180 (95%) did not require a gait aid. On discharge from acute care, 89 (47%; 95% CI, 40%-54%) were ambulating independently, of whom 54 (61%) did not require a gait aid. Compared with those who stood within 30 days of ICU admission, a delay in standing of between 30 and 60 days increased the odds 5-fold (95% CI, 2-11) of being unable to ambulate independently at the time of discharge.

Conclusions

After a prolonged ICU admission, more than 50% of patients were unable to ambulate independently by hospital discharge, with the time between admission and first stand, being an important predictor of this outcome.     

Measuring mobility limitations in children with cerebral palsy: Rasch model fit of a mobility questionnaire, MobQues28

Dallmeijer AJ, Scholtes VA, Becher J, Roorda LD. Measuring mobility limitations in children with cerebral palsy: Rasch model fit of a mobility questionnaire, MobQues28.

Objective

To develop a Rasch-based version of a mobility questionnaire (MobQues28) for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Private physical therapy practices and outpatient departments of hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

Participants

Parents of 323 ambulatory children with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level I-IV; aged, 2–13y).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

The mobility questionnaire measures mobility limitations in children with CP by rating the difficulty of executing 47 mobility activities, as reported by the parents. Items for the Rasch-based version were selected based on fit to the Rasch measurement (partial credit) model and invariance of item characteristics across GMFCS level, age group, or sex.

Results

Analysis revealed a fitting model when nonambulant and/or 2- and 3-year aged children were excluded (leaving a final sample of n=246) and answering categories were collapsed from 9 to 5. Thirteen items were removed from the questionnaire due to misfit to the model, 5 because of disordered thresholds, and 1 because of invariance across age group. Twenty-eight items out of the original 47 items showed good fit to the model.

Conclusions

The 28-item version of the mobility questionnaire (MobQues28) provides sound measurement properties for measuring mobility limitations in ambulant children with CP, aged 4 to 13 years, and shows promise as an instrument for research purposes.     

The validity,reliability, responsiveness and minimal clinically important difference of the de Morton mobility index in rehabilitation

Purpose: Determine the clinimetric properties of the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) in an adult inpatient rehabilitation population.

Method: Prospective open cohort case series. DEMMI and functional independence measure assessed within three days of admission and discharge and seven-point Likert assessment of global change in mobility during inpatient rehabilitation reported by the patient, physical therapist and rehabilitation physician.

Results: A total of 366 patients had assessments of the DEMMI completed on both admission into and discharge from rehabilitation. There was no floor or ceiling effect observed in the sample, but there was a mild (19%) ceiling effect at discharge in patients with a stroke. Evidence was obtained for the convergent, discriminant and known group validity of the DEMMI. The minimal clinically important difference was obtained using two methods. The DEMMI was highly responsive to change (Cohen’s d?=?1.3).

Conclusions: The findings give support to the use of the DEMMI in rehabilitation patients and on the basis of previous studies, support the use of the DEMMI across the continuum of hospital settings.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• This study provides evidence that the clinimetric properties of the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) are sound.

• The findings give support to the use of the DEMMI in rehabilitation patients.

• Our findings, in conjunction with previous research, support the use of the DEMMI across the continuum of hospital settings.

     

Care practices for patients requiring mechanical ventilation more than seven days in Swedish intensive care units: A national survey

ObjectiveTo identify care practices in Swedish intensive care units specific to patients requiring mechanical ventilation for >7 days.Research MethodologyWe conducted a national cross-sectional survey inviting all adult Swedish ICUs (n = 79). Nurse managers were invited by email to complete a questionnaire by telephone. The questionnaire included seven domains: ventilator weaning, mobilisation, communication, nutrition, symptom assessment, psychosocial support and organisational characteristics.ResultsWe received responses from 77 units (response rate, 97%). Weaning protocols were available in 42 (55%) units, 52 (68%) used individualised weaning strategies and 50 (65%) involved physicians and nurses in collaborative decision making. In 48 units (62%), early mobilisation was prioritised using bed cycling but only 26 (34%) units had mobilisation protocols. Most of the intensive care units (74, 96%) had nutrition protocols but only 2 (3%) had dedicated dieticians. Delirium screening tools were available in 49 (64%) ICUs, 3 (4%) assessed anxiety and none assessed dyspnoea. Nineteen (25%) units employed a primary nursing model and 11 (14%) indicated person-centred care policies. Regular case conferences, including family participation, were held by 39 (51%) units.ConclusionWe found that an individualised approach to ventilator weaning, decided by physicians and nurses in collaboration, was the predominant approach, although weaning protocols were available in some intensive care units. Most units prioritised early mobilisation, though few used protocols. Nutritional protocols were widely adopted, as few units had a dedicated dietician.     

非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术后机械通气时间延长的危险因素及预后分析

目的分析影响非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术（OPCABG）后机械通气时间延长（PMV）的因素,以及PMV对患者预后的影响。 方法回顾性分析2013年6月至2018年12月在首都医科大学附属北京安贞医院接受OPCABG的1 097例患者。根据术后气管插管的时间,分为对照组（术后气管插管时间≤ 24 h,972例）和PMV组（术后气管插管时间> 24 h,125例）。比较两组患者术前、术中及术后的临床资料,采用多因素Logistic回归分析筛选影响患者PMV的相关因素,探讨PMV对接受OPCABG患者预后的影响。 结果对照组及PMV组患者间纽约心脏病协会（NYHA）分级（ χ² = 34.138,P < 0.001）及左室舒张功能分级（ χ² = 215.175,P < 0.001）比较,差异均有统计学意义。同时,与对照组比较,PMV组患者年龄[（62 ± 9）岁vs.（67 ± 9）岁,t = 6.618,P < 0.001]、手术时间[（4.0 ± 1.2）h vs.（5.9 ± 2.5）h,t = 8.246,P < 0.001]、移植桥血管数目[（2.8 ± 0.6）支vs.（3.2 ± 0.9）支,t = 4.769,P < 0.001]、冠状动脉内膜剥脱术（CE）[4.0%（39 / 972）vs. 20.8%（26 / 125）,χ² = 55.998,P < 0.001]及左心室成形术（SVR）[2.3%（22 / 972）vs. 12.8%（16 / 125）,χ² = 36.771,P < 0.001]发生率均显著升高,而左室射血分数（LVEF）[（58 ± 6）% vs.（47 ± 7）%,t = 18.006,P < 0.001]水平则显著降低。将年龄、NYHA分级、LVEF、左室舒张功能分级、手术时间、移植桥血管数目、CE和SVR纳入多因素Logistic回归分析,结果显示,年龄[比值比（OR）= 1.881,95%置信区间（CI）（1.399,2.529）,P < 0.001]、NYHA分级[OR = 1.476,95%CI（1.220,1.785）,P < 0.001]、左室舒张功能分级[OR = 2.866,95%CI（1.712,4.799）,P < 0.001]、手术时间[OR = 1.599,95%CI（1.068,2.394）,P = 0.003]和SVR [OR = 2.334,95%CI（1.196,4.554）,P < 0.001]是接受OPCABG的患者术后发生PMV的独立危险因素,而LVEF [OR = 0.287,95%CI（0.189,0.436）,P = 0.009]是其保护因素。PMV组患者术后心律失常[29.6% （37 / 125）vs. 14.7%（143 / 972）,χ² = 17.898,P < 0.001]、肺部感染[10.4% （13 / 125）vs. 2.3%（22 / 972）,χ² = 26.281,P < 0.001]、胸腔积液[12.8%（16 / 125）vs. 3.0%（29 / 972）,χ² = 27.131,P < 0.001]、血清肌酐[（114 ± 37）μmol / L vs.（81 ± 27）μmol / L,t = 9.547,P < 0.001]、脑血管事件[10.4%（13 / 125）vs. 3.2%（31 / 972）,χ² = 14.957,P = 0.001]、胃肠道事件[17.6%（22 / 125）vs. 4.0%（39 / 972）,χ² = 38.939,P < 0.001]、住ICU时间[（43 ± 20）h vs.（13 ± 8）h,t = 16.187,P < 0.001]、术后住院时间[（11 ± 9）d vs.（6 ± 3）d,t = 5.937,P < 0.001]和30 d病死率[8.8%（11 / 125）vs. 0.9%（9 / 972）,χ² = 38.365,P < 0.001]均显著高于对照组。 结论年龄、NYHA分级、LVEF、左室舒张功能分级、手术时间及同期行SVR是影响患者OPCABG术后PMV的相关因素。预防PMV的发生可减少术后多种并发症的发生、缩短住院时间、降低患者30 d病死率。     

Psychometric properties of the community integration questionnaire in a heterogeneous sample of adults with physical disability

Hirsh AT, Braden AL, Craggs JG, Jensen MP. Psychometric properties of the Community Integration Questionnaire in a heterogeneous sample of adults with physical disability.

Objective

To investigate the psychometric properties of the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) in a mixed sample of adults with physical disabilities.

Design

Cross-sectional, survey study.

Setting

Academic and community medical clinics, national registry, and self-referral.

Participants

Community-dwelling adults with spinal cord injury (n=146), multiple sclerosis (n=174), limb loss (n=158), or muscular dystrophy (n=273).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

CIQ, General Health item from the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and Mental Health Scale from the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey.

Results

Based on the original scoring procedures, the CIQ Total scale and Home Integration subscale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency; however, reliability indices for the Social Integration and Productive Activities subscales were suboptimal. The exploratory factor analysis yielded a 4-factor solution (accounting for approximately 63% of the variance) that did not replicate the original factor structure of the CIQ. The results of the confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a modified 3-factor solution provided the best fit to the data from our samples. Using a revised scoring system based on these findings, the CIQ demonstrated improved reliability relative to the original scoring and good concurrent validity.

Conclusions

The results provide general support for the validity of the CIQ as a measure of participation in adults with physical disabilities. However, our results indicate that some small modifications to the original scoring system are needed to optimize its use in this patient group. Additional research is needed to refine the measurement of participation in these and other populations.     

Assessing self-care and social function using a computer adaptive testing version of the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory

Coster WJ, Haley SM, Ni P, Dumas HM, Fragala-Pinkham MA. Assessing self-care and social function using a computer adaptive testing version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory.

Objective

To examine score agreement, validity, precision, and response burden of a prototype computer adaptive testing (CAT) version of the self-care and social function scales of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory compared with the full-length version of these scales.

Design

Computer simulation analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal retrospective data; cross-sectional prospective study.

Setting

Pediatric rehabilitation hospital, including inpatient acute rehabilitation, day school program, outpatient clinics; community-based day care, preschool, and children’s homes.

Participants

Children with disabilities (n=469) and 412 children with no disabilities (analytic sample); 38 children with disabilities and 35 children without disabilities (cross-validation sample).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Summary scores from prototype CAT applications of each scale using 15-, 10-, and 5-item stopping rules; scores from the full-length self-care and social function scales; time (in seconds) to complete assessments and respondent ratings of burden.

Results

Scores from both computer simulations and field administration of the prototype CATs were highly consistent with scores from full-length administration (r range, .94-.99). Using computer simulation of retrospective data, discriminant validity, and sensitivity to change of the CATs closely approximated that of the full-length scales, especially when the 15- and 10-item stopping rules were applied. In the cross-validation study the time to administer both CATs was 4 minutes, compared with over 16 minutes to complete the full-length scales.

Conclusions

Self-care and social function score estimates from CAT administration are highly comparable with those obtained from full-length scale administration, with small losses in validity and precision and substantial decreases in administration time.     

A Prospective Outcome Study on the Effects of Facet Joint Radiofrequency Denervation on Pain, Analgesic Intake, Disability, Satisfaction, Cost, and Employment

Burnham RS, Holitski S, Dinu I. A prospective outcome study on the effects of facet joint radiofrequency denervation on pain, analgesic intake, disability, satisfaction, cost, and employment.

Objective

To assess the effect of radiofrequency denervation (RFD) on patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) of facet joint origin.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Interventional pain management program.

Participants

Consecutive subjects (N=44; 101 facet joints) over 2 years with chronic refractory mechanical LBP of facet origin established by 2 local anesthetic blocks (medial branch ± intra-articular) resulting in more than 50% pain relief.

Intervention

RFD of the symptomatic lumbar facet joints.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-reported pain intensity, frequency, bothersomeness, analgesic intake, satisfaction, disability, back pain-related costs, and employment twice prior to and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-RFD.

Results

Post-RFD, significant improvements in pain, analgesic requirement, satisfaction, disability, and direct costs occurred. They peaked at 3 to 6 months and gradually diminished thereafter. Satisfaction with medical care and living with current symptoms improved similarly. Overall, satisfaction with the RFD procedure was high, and no complications were reported.

Conclusions

RFD provides safe and significant short-term improvement in pain, analgesic requirements, function, satisfaction, and direct costs in patients with chronic LBP of facet origin.     

Beyond function: predicting participation in a rehabilitation cohort

OBJECTIVES: To monitor participation in a rehabilitation cohort and to identify determinants of change during a 12-month period posthospitalization following the onset of one of several major disabling conditions. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Postacute care rehabilitation settings. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (N=435) aged 18 years and older with complex medical, lower-extremity orthopedic, and major neurologic impairments. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups, community participation and social and home participation were assessed by personal interviews using the Participation Measure for Post-Acute Care. Information on potential determinants was abstracted from the medical chart and by personal interview using standardized instruments. RESULTS: On average, rehabilitation patients achieved modest improvements in their levels of community participation during the first 6 months after acute hospitalization. In contrast, these same patients displayed a modest loss in social and home participation levels during the follow-up period. Activity limitations were the dominant factors that explained much of the variance in the extent of community participation achieved by patients. Personal and social environmental factors played a major role in predicting levels of social and home participation. CONCLUSIONS: The focus of rehabilitation interventions aimed at achieving posthospital participation requires careful consideration of the specific domain of participation that is being targeted.     

Differences in physical performance between men and women with and without lymphoma

OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare physical performance profiles in men and women with lymphoma with age- and gender-matched controls and to examine relationships among fatigue severity and physical performance in men and women with lymphoma. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Outpatient lymphoma service in a major cancer teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-one patients with lymphoma (26 women, 25 men), age- and gender-matched to 51 subjects without lymphoma. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A physical performance test battery consisting of a 50-ft (15-m) walk, a 6-minute walk, forward reach, repeated sit-to-stand, repeated reach-up, timed belt tie, sock test, and coin test. Patients also completed the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of variance was significant for main effects of group (F(8,89)=27.12, P<.05) and gender (F(8,89)=3.09, P<.05), and there was no significant interaction. Subsequent analyses found significant differences between groups and gender in the repeated reach-up task, forward reach, 50-ft walk, and distance walked in 6 minutes. Correlations among physical performance tasks and total BFI interference scores were moderate (r range,.27-.43; P<.05) for tasks involving upper extremity, and stronger (r range,.51 to -.73; P<.05) for tasks that involved whole-body movements. CONCLUSION: There is a leveling effect of lymphoma across gender on most tasks. The significant relations between physical performance tasks and fatigue are suggestive of the pervasive influence of fatigue on physical function.     

Validity of the impact on participation and autonomy questionnaire: a comparison between two countries

Purpose. To evaluate the cross-cultural validity of the five subscales of the Impact on Participation and Autonomy (IPA) measure and the full 31-item scale.

Method. Data from two validation studies (Dutch and English) were pooled (n = 106). Participants (aged 18 - 75), known to rehabilitation services or GP practices, had conditions ranging from minor ailments to significant disability. Validity of the five subscales and the total scale was examined using Rasch analysis (Partial Credit Model). P values smaller than 0.01 were employed to allow for multiple testing.

Results. A number of items in all the subscales except 'Outdoor Autonomy' needed rescoring. One 'Indoor Autonomy' item showed uniform DIF by country and was split by country. One 'Work and Education' item displayed uniform and non-uniform DIF by gender. All the subscales fitted the Rasch model and were invariant across country. A 30-item IPA also fitted the Rasch model.

Conclusion. The IPA subscales and a 30-item scale are invariant across the two cultures and gender. The IPA can be used validly to assess participation and autonomy in these populations. Further analyses are required to examine whether the IPA is invariant across differing levels of disability and other disease groups not included in this study.     

Development of a French isometric strength normative database for adults using quantitative muscle testing

OBJECTIVE: To establish a normative database for isometric strength measured by quantitative muscle testing (QMT) for a French adult population. DESIGN: Measurement of maximal voluntary isometric contraction. SETTING: Four clinical centers involved in neuromuscular disorders. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 315 healthy adults (147 men, 168 women) ages 20 to 80 years. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Isometric torque values of 14 muscle functions (13 bilaterally and neck). RESULTS: This study led to the development of a French isometric strength normative database for adults measured by QMT. For each muscle function, predictive regression models using age, sex, and weight are proposed. Some methodologic issues concerning strength measurement are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: This database can be used to compute relative deficits in muscle strength for 27 muscle functions and also to estimate composite scores for follow-up of patients either during the natural history of their disease or during a therapeutic trial.     

Clinimetric evaluation of the physical mobility scale supports clinicians and researchers in residential aged care

Barker AL, Nitz JC, Low Choy NL, Haines TP. Clinimetric evaluation of the Physical Mobility Scale supports clinicians and researchers in residential aged care.

Objective

To investigate the interrater agreement and the internal construct validity of the Physical Mobility Scale, a tool routinely used to assess mobility of people living in residential aged care.

Design

Prospective, multicenter, external validation study.

Setting

Nine residential aged care facilities in Australia.

Participants

Residents (N=186). Phase 1 cohort (99 residents; mean age, 85.22±5.1y); phase 2 cohort (87 residents; mean age, 81.59±10.69y).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Kappa statistics, minimal detectable change (MDC₉₀) scores, and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess interrater agreement. Scale unidimensionality, item hierarchy, and person separation were examined with Rasch analysis for both cohorts.

Results

Agreement between raters on 6 of the 9 Physical Mobility Scale items was high (κ>.60). The MDC₉₀ value was 4.39 points, and no systematic differences in scores between raters were found. The Physical Mobility Scale showed a unidimensional structure demonstrated by fit to the Rasch model in both cohorts (phase 1: χ²=23.90, P=.16, person separation index=0.96; phase 2: χ²=22.00, P=.23, person separation index=0.96). Standing balance was the most difficult item in both cohorts (phase 1: logit=2.48, SE, 0.16; phase 2: logit=2.53, SE, 0.15). The person-item threshold map indicated no floor or ceiling effects in either cohort.

Conclusions

The Physical Mobility Scale demonstrated good interrater agreement and internal construct validity with good fit to the Rasch model in both cohorts. The comparative results across the 2 cohorts indicate generality of the findings. The Physical Mobility Scale total raw scores can be converted to Rasch transformed scores, providing an interval measure of mobility. The Physical Mobility Scale may be suited to a range of clinical and research applications in residential aged care.     

Development of a multidimensional balance scale for use with functionally independent older adults

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of a multidimensional balance scale-the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale-suitable for use with functionally independent older adults. DESIGN: Psychometric evaluation of the scale's content and convergent validity, test-retest and intra- and interrater reliability, and internal rater consistency. SETTING: Urban community. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six community-residing older adults (mean +/- standard deviation, 75 +/- 6.2 y), with (n = 31) and without identified balance problems (n = 15), participated in the study. Four physical therapists with expertise in the assessment and treatment of balance disorders in older adults also participated in the content validity and/or reliability phases of the study. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spearman rank correlation coefficients for convergent validity, test-retest, intra- and interrater reliability, and homogeneity coefficient values for rater consistency. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability for the total balance scale score was high (rho = .96). Interrater reliability for total score ranged from .94 to .97 whereas intrarater reliability coefficients ranged from .97 to 1.00. Homogeneity (H) coefficients were greater than .90 for 6 of the 10 individual test items and all 10 test items had H coefficients of greater than .75 for both rating sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results suggest that the FAB scale is a valid and reliable assessment tool that is suitable for use with functionally independent older adults residing in the community.     

A comparison between self-reported and observed activity limitations in adults with neuromuscular disorders

Vandervelde L, Dispa D, Van den Bergh PY, Thonnard J-L. A comparison between self-reported and observed activity limitations in adults with neuromuscular disorders.

Objective

To investigate the agreement between the self-reported and examiner-reported difficulties of patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) in performing daily activities at home.

Design

A comparison between 2 methods of administering a measurement instrument.

Setting

Neuromuscular reference center in a university hospital.

Participants

Adult patients (N=57) with diagnosed NMDs living at home.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

The ACTIVLIM questionnaire.

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient, model 2,1 (ICC_2,1), between the measures was very good (ICC_2,1=.87), indicating a good agreement between self-perceived and observed measures.

Conclusions

The use of ACTIVLIM as a self-reporting questionnaire is a valid method for assessing activity limitations in patients with NMD.     

A survey of sedation assessment and management in Australian and New Zealand paediatric intensive care patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation

INTRODUCTION: A retrospective analysis of sedation management for children receiving prolonged ventilation in one Australian paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) revealed no identifiable pattern in sedation management and an inadequacy in the sedation scoring system. Therefore, the investigators sought to explore the current practice of sedation in critically ill children in PICUs across Australia and New Zealand. METHOD: This study used a mail-out survey to audit sedation management within the eight dedicated Australian and New Zealand PICUs. Results: 100% of the units surveyed replied (n=8). There were a total of 6,133 admissions to 8 Australian and New Zealand PICUs, where 3036 (49.5%) required ventilation. Of these children, 888 (29.2%) required ventilation > or =72 hours. Only 4 units had written guidelines for sedation management. A combined sedation regime of benzodiazepines and opioids was employed in six units. Administration and titration of sedation agents was managed by nursing staff alone in six units. All units indicated that they aimed to achieve a 'moderate level' of sedation. Two units used designated assessment tools for sedation and withdrawal assessment. One unit utilised Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring. CONCLUSION: There were similarities observed in the methods and types of sedation agents used within Australian and New Zealand PICUs. However, only half of the units had guidelines for sedation management, and most units did not use validated paediatric scales to assist staff in assessing patient sedation and pain levels. Therefore it is recommended that a standardised approach to sedation assessment and management of critically ill children requiring prolonged ventilation be developed and tested.     

Measurement precision and efficiency of multidimensional computer adaptive testing of physical functioning using the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory

OBJECTIVE: To compare the measurement efficiency and precision of a multidimensional computer adaptive testing (M-CAT) application to a unidimensional CAT (U-CAT) comparison using item bank data from 2 of the functional skills scales of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). DESIGN: Using existing PEDI mobility and self-care item banks, we compared the stability of item calibrations and model fit between unidimensional and multidimensional Rasch models and compared the efficiency and precision of the U-CAT- and M-CAT-simulated assessments to a random draw of items. SETTING: Pediatric rehabilitation hospital and clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Clinical and normative samples. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Not applicable. RESULTS: The M-CAT had greater levels of precision and efficiency than the separate mobility and self-care U-CAT versions when using a similar number of items for each PEDI subdomain. Equivalent estimation of mobility and self-care scores can be achieved with a 25% to 40% item reduction with the M-CAT compared with the U-CAT. CONCLUSIONS: M-CAT applications appear to have both precision and efficiency advantages compared with separate U-CAT assessments when content subdomains have a high correlation. Practitioners may also realize interpretive advantages of reporting test score information for each subdomain when separate clinical inferences are desired.