Evaluating the Measurement Properties of the ScanCourse, a Dual-Task Assessment of Visual Scanning.

Abstract

The ScanCourse is used by occupational therapists to evaluate visual scanning ability during locomotion. Its measurement properties have not been examined. To assess the interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the ScanCourse. This study involved data collection at two time points. To assess test-retest reliability, the ScanCourse was administered twice within a 2-week period. To assess interrater reliability, a second rater was present for one session. To assess level of agreement, a Bland-Altman plot was created. To assess absolute reliability, the standard error of measurement was calculated. To evaluate construct validity, the results of the ScanCourse were compared with results of the Bells Test and Trail Making Test A and B. Rehabilitation hospital. Forty-one patients with neurological impairments. The ScanCourse (participants identify numbered cards placed on both sides of a hallway at various heights during locomotion). The ScanCourse was found to have excellent interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] [1,1] = .998; 95% confidence interval [CI] [.996-.999]), test-retest reliability (ICC [1,1] = .912; 95% CI [.811-.959]), a high level of agreement, and a low standard error of measurement (.503), and it was found to be significantly correlated with Trails A (rs = -.436, p = .009) and B (rs = -.364, p = .029). The assessment was found to have strong measurement properties, and it is therefore an appropriate tool for assessing dual-task visual scanning among those with neurological impairments. This research demonstrates that the ScanCourse is reliable between raters and over time and that scores on the measure vary as anticipated with scores on a related measure, which provides evidence of its validity. These findings support its use in practice.