Abstract
Play is considered the main occupation for children. Pediatric occupational therapists utilize play either for evaluation or intervention purpose. However, play is not properly measured by occupational therapists, and the use of play instrument is limited. This systematic review was aimed at identifying play instruments relevant to occupational therapy practice and its clinimetric properties. A systematic search was conducted on six databases (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection, Scopus, and ASEAN Citation Index) in January 2020. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using Law and MacDermid's Appraisal for Clinical Measurement Research Reports, and psychometric properties of play instruments were evaluated using Terwee's checklist while the clinical utility is extracted from each instrument. Initial search identifies 1,098 articles, and only 30 articles were included in the final analysis, extracting 8 play instruments. These instruments were predominantly practiced in the Western culture, which consists of several psychometric evidences. The Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale is considered the most extensive and comprehensive play instrument for extrinsic aspect, whereas the Test of Playfulness + Test of Environmental Supportiveness Unifying Measure is a promising play instrument for intrinsic aspect on play, where both instruments utilize observation. My Child's Play is a potential questionnaire-based play instrument. However, the current development of play instruments in the occupational therapy field is immature and constantly evolving, and occupational therapists should exercise good clinical reasoning when selecting a play instrument to use in practice.
Highlights
Occupational therapy for children is found as one of the largest practice areas globally [1]
The aim of this review is to identify and gather clinimetric evidence of play instruments developed by occupational therapists
This review found various play instruments where only a small number were developed by an occupational therapist
Summary
Occupational therapy for children is found as one of the largest practice areas globally [1]. Play is the most important occupation that dominates their use of time. Play can be one of the therapeutic goals and can be used as a medium of intervention, which helps to improve an individual’s functional performance [1,2,3,4]. Play was found to be beneficial for biological, physical, mental, and social development [5]. Play is a learning process that equips children with necessary physical, psychological, cognitive, and social skills to facilitate normal development for typical children [6]. Selecting the right play activities as a means or as an end is important to bring the optimal outcome of children
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