Performance validity and processing speed in a VA Polytrauma sample

Objective: While recognition memory has been the primary tool for the assessment of performance validity in neuropsychological evaluations, some consideration has also been given to embedded measures from other cognitive domains, including processing speed. The present study evaluated the classification accuracy of several speed-based measures in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center Polytrauma sample. Method: The present sample consisted of 114 military veterans (Mean age = 35.5, SD = 9.4) referred for a suspected history of mild traumatic brain injury who were administered a full neuropsychological protocol that included several validity checks. Veterans were assigned to Valid (n = 80) or Invalid (n = 34) groups based on outcomes of performance validity measures (PVMs). Results: Several processing speed measures yielded acceptable or excellent classification accuracy; sensitivity values ranged from 29 to 53% with specificity values above 90%. Efforts to identify an improved algorithm that would collapse across multiple processing speed PVMs were unsuccessful compared to classification based on single measures. Conclusions: Processing speed measures can serve as efficient performance validity assessment tools.     

Can the movement assessment battery for children-test be the "gold standard" for the motor assessment of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder?

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is an important risk factor in the development of children that can have a significant academic and social impact. This reinforces the need for its timely identification using appropriate assessment methods and accurate screening tests. The commonly used standardized motor test for the DCD identification is the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Test (M-ABC Test) (Henderson & Sugden, 1992). The aim of the present study was to examine if the M-ABC Test can be considered to be the “gold standard” for the motor assessment of children with the aforementioned disorder. For that purpose, a critical review of the extant literature regarding M-ABC Test's psychometric properties was conducted. Neither the test manual nor the studies reviewed provide support for the reliability and validity of the M-ABC Test results in children with DCD. Until sufficient evidence for its technical adequacy is accumulated, the M-ABC Test should not be used in isolation for children with DCD.     

The validity of psychiatric diagnoses: the case of 'specific' developmental disorders

We tested whether developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and mixed receptive expressive language disorder (RELD) are valid diagnoses by assessing whether they are separated from each other, from other childhood disorders, and from normality by natural boundaries termed zones of rarity. Standardized measures of intelligence, language, motor skills, social cognition, and executive functioning were administered to children with DCD (n = 22), RELD (n = 30), autistic disorder (n = 30), mental retardation (n = 24), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (n = 53) and to a representative sample of children (n = 449). Discriminant function scores were used to test whether there were zones of rarity between the DCD, RELD, and other groups. DCD and RELD were reliably distinguishable only from the mental retardation group. Cluster and latent class analyses both resulted in only two clusters or classes being identified, one consisting mainly of typical children and the other of children with a disorder. Fifty percent of children in the DCD group and 20% in the RELD group were clustered with typical children. There was no evidence of zones of rarity between disorders. Rather, with the exception of mental retardation, the results imply there are no natural boundaries between disorders or between disorders and normality.     

Psychometric properties and clinical relevance of the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale in Dutch adolescents

ObjectiveThis study investigated reliability, validity, and clinical relevance of the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale (ASHS) in Dutch adolescents.MethodsThe Dutch translation of the ASHS was administered to 186 normal-sleeping adolescents and 112 adolescents with insomnia. Their sleep variables were measured using sleep logs and questionnaires. From the insomnia group, scores were also obtained after six weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (n = 58) or waiting list (n = 22).ResultsThe full scale of the ASHS had acceptable internal consistency. The results showed moderate to strong correlations of the ASHS (domains) with sleep quality, sleep duration and chronic sleep reduction. Furthermore, the Dutch ASHS was able to discriminate between normal sleepers and adolescents with insomnia, and scores of adolescents with insomnia improved after treatment.ConclusionsThese findings confirm the importance of sleep hygiene in adolescent sleep, and contribute to the validity of the ASHS and its applicability in research and clinical practice.     

职业院校教师心理素质量表的编制和信效度检验

目的 编制职业院校教师心理素质量表,并检验其信效度。方法 通过对630例职业院校教师的调研和访谈,编制了职业院校教师心理素质量表,间隔两周后对其中的87例教师重新施测,考察问卷的重测信度、同质性信度;选用大学优秀教师心理素质量表（DTPA）、中学教师心理素质量表（MTCA）作为效标问卷,对其中64例进行效标效度检验。结果 探索性因子分析形成6个因子,分别为表达与交流性、创新性、操作演示性、稳定性、聪慧性、职业认同感。量表重测信度为0.654,6个因子的Cronbach＇sα系数均大于0.7;总的分半信度系数为0.871,90.6%的条目的 CVR在0.6以上。效标效度检验除操作演示性与两个量表的相关没有达到显著性水平外,其他均具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论该量表具有较好的信度效度,可以作为职业院校教师心理素质的测量工具。     

Cross-Cultural Adaptation,Reliability, and Validity of the Revised Korean Version of Ruminative Response Scale

Objective

Rumination is a negative coping strategy defined as repetitive and passive focusing on negative feelings such as depression. The Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) is a widely-used instrument to measure rumination, but there is continuing argument about the construct validity of the RRS, because of probable overlap between the measurement of depression and that of rumination. The RRS-Revised (RRS-R), which removed 12 items of the RRS, is suggested as a more valid instrument for measuring rumination. Therefore, we translated RRS-R into Korean and explored the reliability, validity and factor structure in patients with major depressive disorders.

Methods

Seventy-nine patients with major depressive disorder took the Korean version of RRS, RRS-R, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory and Penn State Worry Questionnaire. We performed exploratory factor analysis of RRS-R, and tested construct validity, internal reliability and test-retest reliability.

Results

The internal and test-retest reliability of RRS-R was high. Factor analysis revealed that RRS-R is composed of two factors. ''Brooding'' factor explained 56.6% and ''Reflection'' factor explained 12.5%. RRS-R, especially ''Brooding factor'', was highly correlated with other clinical symptoms such as depression, anxiety and worry.

Conclusion

In this study, we find out the RRS-R is more reliable and valid than the original RRS in Korean patients with depression because the RRS-R is free from the debate about the overlap of item with BDI. We also revealed that ''Brooding'' is highly correlated with depressive symptoms. RRS-R may be a useful instrument to explore the implication of ''Brooding'' in depression.     

Validation of the Spine Oncology Study Group—Outcomes Questionnaire to assess quality of life in patients with metastatic spine disease

Background Context

General questionnaires are often used to assess quality of life in patients with spine metastases, although a disease-specific survey did not exist until recently. The Spine Oncology Study Group has developed an outcomes questionnaire (SOSG-OQ) to measure quality of life in these patients. However, a scoring system was not developed, and the questionnaire was not validated in a group of patients, nor was it compared with other general quality of life questionnaires such as the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire.

The Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire was successfully translated to Persian

IntroductionThe Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) is designed to evaluate pain and disability in subjects with lateral elbow tendinopathy. This questionnaire is available in Swedish, Italian, and some other languages. A Persian language version of the questionnaire is needed for both research and clinical purposes.Purpose of the StudyThe purpose of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the PRTEE questionnaire into the Persian language and to determine its validity and reliability.MethodsThe PRTEE was translated and culturally adapted from English into Persian (PRTEE-P) according to the established guidelines. The PRTEE-P was completed by 68 Iranian subjects (44 women, 24 men) diagnosed with chronic lateral elbow tendinopathy. To assess test-retest reliability, all subjects filled out the PRTEE-P on a second admission within one week. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha were measured to report reliability. The validity was determined by correlating the PRTEE-P questionnaire with the Persian version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire.ResultsThe Persian version of the PRTEE showed a high internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.99, demonstrating good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.99). It was well correlated with Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (r = 0.80).ConclusionThe PRTEE-P is a reliable and valid tool designed for measuring pain and disability in subjects with lateral elbow tendinopathy.     

The translation,cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index in Persian-speaking Iranians with foot disorder

BackgroundFoot pain has a significantly detrimental effect on mobility, function and health status. Researchers have developed a number of measurement tools to assess foot health and its impact on the quality of life. This study was conducted to translate the original English Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI) into Persian and to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version.MethodsA total of 206 patients with a range of foot disorders filled out the Persian version of the MFPDI and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The Persian version of the MFPDI was re-completed by the participants at an interval of five to seven days. The analyses performed included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and floor and ceiling effect analysis.ResultsThe Persian MFPDI had a good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α ≥ 0.70) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.84). The construct validity of the Persian MFPDI was demonstrated to be acceptable as a result of its significantly strong negative correlations with the SF-36.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that the Persian version of the MFPDI is a valid and reliable measure to assess foot-related disability.     

简体中文版King健康问卷在膀胱过度活动症患者中应用的信度和效度分析

目的 评价简体中文版King健康问卷(KHQ)在膀胱过度活动症(OAB)患者中应用的信度和效度.方法 采用"WHO-QOL跨文化生活质量研究问卷翻译法"将英文版KHQ翻译成简体中文,随机抽取就诊于泌尿外科门诊的OAB患者,在第0周和第2周对其进行2次简体中文版KHQ问卷调查.通过Cronbach's α系数评价问卷的内部一致性;用组内相关系数(ICC)评价重测信度;计算各问题得分与所属领域得分的Spearman等级相关系数(rs)评价内容效度;用因子分析评价结构效度.结果 48例符合纳入标准的OAB患者参与本研究,40例完成2次调查,男7例,女33例,年龄(49.6±14.3)岁.KHQ各亚量表和各领域均具有较好的内部一致性(Cronbach's α:0.7l8～0.924)、中到高的重测信度(ICC:0.567～0.995,P<0.01)以及中到高的内容效度(r:0.462～0.964,P<0.01).因子分析法显示简体中文版KHQ具有可接受的结构效度.结论简体中文版KHQ具有较好的信度和效度,可作为评估OAB患者生活质量的专用量表.