High Test-retest Research Articles

Development and psychometric properties of the Italian little developmental coordination disorder questionnaire (LDCDQ-IT).

Early identification of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in children is fundamental to provide the best chance of improving their outcomes. The Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (LDCDQ) is a screening tool to identify preschool children who may warrant a diagnosis of DCD. This study conducted a transcultural translation and adaptation of the Italian version of the Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (LDCDQ-IT) and evaluated the psychometric properties of the tool, establishing also the optimal cut-off scores. Parents/carers of 3- and 4-year-old Italian preschoolers completed the LDCDQ-IT (n = 352 typically developing children; n = 24 children at risk for motor coordination problems). One sub-sample (n = 52) completed the LDCDQ-IT a second time; another sub-sample (n = 90) was assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2). The LDCDQ-IT showed high internal consistency (α=0.96) and good test-retest reliability. Children's age and gender did not influence total scores. Correlations obtained between the LDCDQ-IT and MABC-2 total scores (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) suggest concurrent validity of the LDCDQ-IT. Using a cut-off score of ≤ 65, overall sensitivity and specificity were 79 % and 75 % respectively. The LDCDQ-IT demonstrates promising psychometric properties, making it a useful tool for the early identification of DCD. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS?: This study provides valuable insights into the psychometric properties and cut-off point for the Italian Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (LDCDQ-IT), a screening tool for identifying potential motor coordination problems in 3- and 4-year-old children. We observed good evidence of reliability, concurrent, and discriminative validity, proving that it may be a helpful questionnaire for assessing daily motor skills.

P0288 Translation and validation of the IBD-Disk as a tool for assessing the degree of disability in a cohort of Spanish-speaking patients with inflammatory bowel disease. TRAVIDI study.

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), impact patients’ quality of life, affecting them during both active periods and remission. Recently, tools have been designed to align therapeutic goals between patients and healthcare professionals, known as Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Index (IBD-DI) measures disability in IBD patients, but its complexity limits its use. Alternatively, a simplified self-administered version, the IBD-Disk (IBDD), has been developed and validated in various languages, though not yet in Spanish. This study aims to translate and validate the Spanish version of the IBDD Methods This prospective study involved the translation and validation of the IBDD in a cohort of patients at a tertiary referral centre for IBD in Catalonia. Two phases were carried out: Phase 1 involved forward translation into Spanish, resolution of discrepancies by a bilingual expert (English and Spanish), and back translation into English to produce a final synthesised document tested internally with a group of 10 patients (not included in the final analysis) following the World Health Organization protocol. Phase 2 consisted of a prospective validation (at week 0 and week 24 ± 4 weeks) of the Spanish version of the IBDD, comparing it with the IBD-DI in IBD patients. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected during both visits. Results A total of 102 patients were included (52 CD and 50 UC). The Spanish version of the IBD-Disk demonstrated high internal consistency (alpha 0.925, 95% CI: 0.902–0.945) and good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.957). The correlation between the total IBDD and IBD-DI scores was excellent (R = 0.912; p &amp;lt; 0.001), confirming good concurrent validity. Seventy-two patients completed the questionnaire at week 24, showing good correlation with clinical evolution (measured by the Walmsley and Harvey-Bradshaw indices) and the IBDD. Conclusion The Spanish version of the IBD-Disk is a valid and reliable tool for assessing disability in Spanish-speaking IBD patients.

Italian version of the Headache Disability Inventory: Cross-cultural adaptation, validity, and reliability.

To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Headache Disability Inventory (HDI) into Italian and study its reliability and validity. A total of 132 participants with primary and secondary headaches were included. The translation was performed following international guidelines with forward and back translation procedures. Structural validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, measurement error, and construct validity were studied. Test-retest reliability and measurement error were tested on a subsample of 32 participants. The cross-cultural adaptation into Italian was performed without issues. Confirmatory factor analysis supports the structural validity partially (comparative fit index = 0.963; Tucker-Lewis index = 0.959; root mean square error of approximation = 0.051; standardized root mean square residual = 0.084), showing a two-factor structure (i.e., emotional and functional). Each subscale presented high internal consistency (α = 0.87 and 0.87 for the emotional and functional subscales, respectively), excellent and good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93 and 0.88 for the emotional and functional subscales, respectively), and acceptable measurement error (standard error of the measurement [SEM] = 3.6 points, minimal detectable change [MDC] = 10.0 points for the emotional subscale; SEM = 3.8 points, MDC = 10.7 points for the functional subscale). Construct validity was satisfactory for the emotional subscale and moderate for the functional subscale, as 85.7% (6/7) and 57.1% (4/7) of a priori hypotheses were met, respectively. The HDI was successfully translated into Italian and has acceptable psychometric properties. The Italian version of the HDI can be used in daily clinical practice and research to assess the functional and emotional impact of primary and secondary headaches. Further research should study other psychometric properties (i.e., content validity, responsiveness, and reliability in a larger sample).

Evaluating the reliability and validity of a Chinese version of the performance-oriented mobility assessment among patients with chronic stroke.

The Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) is a reliable instrument for evaluating the mobility (balance and gait) of patients with chronic stroke to manage their risk of falling; however, it has not been validated among Chinese patients with stroke. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese POMA in patients with stroke. The POMA was applied to volunteer patients with stroke from the Shanghai MCC Hospital. The patients underwent the Chinese POMA, Berg balance scale (BBS), and timed up and go (TUG) tests on the first day of inpatient treatment. The same physician repeated the tests the next day to assess test-retest reliability, and upon the patient's discharge from the inpatient department, two different physicians measured inter-rater reliability. The study involved 76 patients with stroke (age: 62.04 ± 9.76 years; 34.2% female). The results showed that the Chinese POMA had good overall internal consistency (σ=. 875), with a moderate consistency between its two subscales (balance σ = 0.875; gait σ = 0.668). The individual items showed high test-retest (ICC = 0.997) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.988). The content validity test showed high correlations between the Chinese POMA, the BBS (rs = 0.70), and the TUG (rs = -0.75). However, the confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the two-factor model (balance and gait) was mediocre. The Chinese POMA showed acceptable reliability and validity for evaluating mobility (balance and gait) in Chinese patients with stroke in terms of their risk of falling. However, further evaluation of the two-factor model (balance and gait) is required.

Cross Cultural Validation of Oral Health Index Profile for Temporomandibular Disorders in Spanish Speaking Population.

Structured patient-centred assessment is critical for improving care. OHIP-TMDs are a validated English-language outcome measure for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) which evaluates the biopsychosocial impact of TMD. Due to language and cultural changes, the original instrument's phrasing of its items may change when translated to Spanish. This study cross-culturally adapted and validated OHIP-TMDs for Spanish-speaking individuals with TMD. OHIP-TMDs was forward-backward translated into Spanish (OHIP-TMDs-Sp) and cross-culturally adapted to a Hispanic population with TMD (Diagnostic Criteria for TMD n = 154) according to international norms. All patients completed the OHIP-TMDs-Sp, the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), and Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS-20). A subsample (n = 30) recompleted the OHIP-TMDs-Sp after a 3-week washout to measure test-retest reliability using an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC 2.1). OHIP-TMDs-Sp, JFLS-20, and GCPS were analysed for convergent validity and internal consistency. The sample with articular and muscular TMD diagnoses was 85.7% female with a mean age of 29.5. (SD 9.01). OHIP-TMDs-Sp had high internal reliability (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.95) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.57-0.93). In terms of convergent validity, the OHIP-TMDs-Sp demonstrated moderate to large positive correlations with the total JLFS-20 score (ρ = 0.72; p < 0.01), Mastication (ρ = 0.68; p < 0.01), Communication (ρ = 0.68; p < 0.001), as well to GCPS disability score (ρ = 0.59; p < 0.01), and characteristic pain intensity (ρ = 0.69; p < 0.01). The total score of OHIP-TMDs-Sp is reliable for assessing quality-of-life in Spanish-speaking TMD patients.

AUDIT‐C shows reliability when used online in patient portals

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT‐C) is a validated screen, but until recently has not been evaluated in routine conditions for adult primary care patients. A new study has found that AUDIT‐C screens have “excellent” test‐retest reliability, which assesses the consistency of results when given at two different times. Excellent test‐retest reliability means that there are similar results across separate test administrations, and the study, supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), shows that the AUDIT‐C can be used reliably in adult primary care patients. The study, led by Claire B. Simon, M.D., of the University of Washington in Seattle, used electronic health record (EHR) data from Kaiser Permanente. For the study, more than 18,000 adult primary care patients completed two AUDIT‐C screens at 1 to 21 days apart as part of routine care in 2021. Screen results were reliable whether completed in person or online through patient portals. However, reliability was higher when the patient completed both screens using online patient portals, compared to completing both screens in the clinic or one in the clinic and one online. Therefore, completing two screens may be a better option than just doing one. The study, High test–retest reliability of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT‐C) questionnaire completed by primary care patients in routine care, is published in the February 2024 issue of Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research. The researchers also found that reliability was lower for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients and multiracial patients.

The Persian Version of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire's Short Form (FOPQ-SF): Psychometric Features Among Cancer Patients.

Fear of progression (FOP) is a significant psychological concern among cancer patients. The Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FOPQ-SF) is one of the significant and reliable tools to evaluate FOP. This study aims to validate the psychometric features of the Persian version of FOPQ-SF in Iranian cancer patients. The translation of the FOPQ-SF was developed using a "forward-backward" approach. This cross-sectional study included 120 cancer patients who completed the questionnaires. The validity and reliability of the FOPQ-SF were evaluated, and the factor structure was examined using both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The FOPQ-SF demonstrated high test-retest and internal reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.84. EFA revealed a one-factor structure consisting of 12 items. The FOPQ-SF exhibited high convergent validity, as indicated by significant correlations with anxiety, depression, the total score of HADS, and symptoms. It also demonstrated moderate divergent validity, with negative correlations observed between function and global health. Furthermore, FOP significantly differed among pre-defined groups based on cancer stages. The results indicate that the Persian version of the FOPQ-SF is a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing FOP in 20-60 Iranian cancer patients ages.

The Thai version of the injury–psychological readiness to return to sport scale (I-PRRS): Translation and evaluation of measurement properties

ObjectivesThis study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the Injury–Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport scale (I-PRRS) into Thai and evaluate the measurement properties of the Thai version (TH-I-PRRS). MethodsThe I-PRRS was translated according to international guidelines. Athletes who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during the previous 6 months to 5 years were recruited to complete two sets of questionnaires. At baseline, participants filled out the TH-I-PRRS questionnaire and other relevant measures. After 2 weeks, they completed the TH-I-PRRS again, along with the Global Rating of Change scale. ResultsThe TH-I-PRRS was successfully translated from English. A total of 142 patients (mean age: 30.7 ​± ​8.9 years; 83.1% male) participated. Eight of nine predefined hypotheses (88.9%) regarding correlations between the TH-I-PRRS and other measures were confirmed, indicating good construct validity. The TH-I-PRRS exhibited excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ​= ​0.92; 95% CI: 0.90–0.94) and high test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient ​= ​0.83; 95% CI: 0.66–0.90). No floor or ceiling effects were observed. ConclusionThe TH-I-PRRS is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating the psychological readiness of athletes to return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Level of evidenceII.

The brief mind wandering three-factor scale (BMW-3)

In recent years, researchers from different fields have become increasingly interested in measuring individual differences in mind wandering as a psychological trait. Although there are several questionnaires that allow for an assessment of people’s perceptions of their mind wandering experiences, they either define mind wandering in a very broad sense or do not sufficiently separate different aspects of mind wandering. Here, we introduce the Brief Mind Wandering Three-Factor Scale (BMW-3), a 12-item questionnaire available in German and English. The BMW-3 conceptualizes mind wandering as task-unrelated thought and measures three dimensions of mind wandering: unintentional mind wandering, intentional mind wandering, and meta-awareness of mind wandering. Based on results from 1038 participants (823 German speakers, 215 English speakers), we found support for the proposed three-factorial structure of mind wandering and for scalar measurement invariance of the German and English versions. All subscales showed good internal consistencies and moderate to high test–retest correlations and thus provide an effective assessment of individual differences in mind wandering. Moreover, the BMW-3 showed good convergent validity when compared to existing retrospective measures of mind wandering and mindfulness and was related to conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness as well as self-reported attentional control. Lastly, it predicted the propensity for mind wandering inside and outside the lab (as assessed by in-the-moment experience sampling), the frequency of experiencing depressive symptoms, and the use of functional and dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies. All in all, the BMW-3 provides a brief, reliable, and valid assessment of mind wandering for basic and clinical research.

Reliability and Validity Study of the Migraine Interictal Burden Scale-4 in Turkish

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Migraine Interictal Burden Scale-4 (MIBS-4) in patients with migraine. MIBS-4 measures migraine-related interictal burden in four domains related to difficulty in planning at work or school, family and social life, and emotional/affective and cognitive stress. Materials and Methods: A total of 178 patients with migraine were enrolled in this multicenter, prospective study in two consecutive interviews with 4-week intervals. The comprehensibility, patient–physician reliability, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and validity of the Turkish translation of MIBS-4 were analyzed. Results: In terms of comprehensibility of all MIBS-4 questions, a statistically significant agreement was obtained between the patient and the physician (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.713; P &lt; 0.001, ICC = 0.851; P &lt; 0.001, ICC = 0.637; and P &lt; 0.001, ICC = 0.760; P &lt; 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the comprehensibility of the first, second, third, and fourth questions of MIBS-4 according to the patient self-test and the physician interviews (P = 0.167, P = 0.068, P = 0.121, and P = 0.225, respectively). A significant high consistency was obtained between the first and second interview values (ICC = 0.891; P &lt; 0.001). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was obtained between 0.818 and 0.845, and the scale was obtained with high reliability. A statistically significant positive correlation was obtained between the first and second interview MIBS values and Headache Impact Test-6, and the correlation coefficients were obtained as 0.158 and 0.330, respectively (P = 0.036 and P &lt; 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that the Turkish translation of MIBS-4 is equivalent to the English version in terms of internal consistency, and it has high test–retest reliability and validity. The Turkish version of MIBS-4 can serve as a reliable, useful, and valid tool for assessing the burden on patients between migraine attacks, as well as aiding health-care professionals in enhancing migraine treatment strategies in Türkiye.

Reliable, rapid, and remote measurement of metacognitive bias

Metacognitive biases have been repeatedly associated with transdiagnostic psychiatric dimensions of ‘anxious-depression’ and ‘compulsivity and intrusive thought’, cross-sectionally. To progress our understanding of the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms, new methods are required to measure metacognition remotely, within individuals over time. We developed a gamified smartphone task designed to measure visuo-perceptual metacognitive (confidence) bias and investigated its psychometric properties across two studies (N = 3410 unpaid citizen scientists, N = 52 paid participants). We assessed convergent validity, split-half and test–retest reliability, and identified the minimum number of trials required to capture its clinical correlates. Convergent validity of metacognitive bias was moderate (r(50) = 0.64, p < 0.001) and it demonstrated excellent split-half reliability (r(50) = 0.91, p < 0.001). Anxious-depression was associated with decreased confidence (β = − 0.23, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001), while compulsivity and intrusive thought was associated with greater confidence (β = 0.07, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001). The associations between metacognitive biases and transdiagnostic psychiatry dimensions are evident in as few as 40 trials. Metacognitive biases in decision-making are stable within and across sessions, exhibiting very high test–retest reliability for the 100-trial (ICC = 0.86, N = 110) and 40-trial (ICC = 0.86, N = 120) versions of Meta Mind. Hybrid ‘self-report cognition’ tasks may be one way to bridge the recently discussed reliability gap in computational psychiatry.

Measuring Empathizing and Systemizing in Children and Adolescents

Abstract: The Empathizing Quotient (EQ) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ) are validated and extensively applied instruments for measurements within the empathizing–systemizing theory (EST) for adults, however not yet adapted to assess children and adolescents. To implement measurements of the EST in children and adolescents, short and comprehensible instruments are needed. Therefore, a German-language short version was developed and statistically tested in multiple studies. In a first study ( N = 193), wording and contexts were improved, and exploratory factor analyses were used to perform scale reduction. In a second study ( N = 299), the stability of the scale was tested. In a third study ( N = 129), high test–retest reliabilities (empathizing: r = .83, p &lt; .001; systemizing: r = .88, p &lt; .001) were found for the new scales (14 empathizing, 10 systemizing items). In a fourth study ( N = 3062), the factor structure was confirmed, and internal consistency was checked to be in a good range (EQ: Cronbach’s α = .85; SQ: Cronbach’s α = .82). An extensive validity check was carried out in a fifth study, using a subsample of Study 4 ( N = 205), which indicated good agreement with existing studies with respect to, for example, gender or school grades.

Psychometric Validation of the Modified Functional Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (f-SARA) in Patients With Spinocerebellar Ataxia

This study aimed to generate evidence to support psychometric validity of the modified functional Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (f-SARA) among patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). Psychometric measurement properties and minimal change thresholds of the f-SARA were evaluated using data from a cohort of SCA subjects (recruited at Massachusetts General Hospital [MGH]; n = 33) and data from a phase 3 trial of troriluzole in adults with SCA (NCT03701399 [Study 206]; n = 217), including a subset of patients with the SCA3 genotype (n = 89). f-SARA item ceiling effects were absent within the MGH cohort, while floor effects were present. Excellent internal consistency reliability was demonstrated (αtotal = 0.90; αitems-removed = 0.86–0.90), and item-to-total correlations were strong (r = 0.82–0.91, per item). High test–retest reliability was demonstrated with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.91 (total) and 0.73–0.92 (items). Convergent and divergent validity was supported, with strong correlations observed between the f-SARA and similarly constructed scales (FARS-FUNC, BARS, PROM-ADL, and FARS-ADL; all p < 0.001) and weaker correlations observed among measures of differing constructs. Mean item and total scores increased with disease severity (by FARS-FUNC quartile; p < 0.001). A 1-point threshold for meaningful changes was supported as 0.5 × SD = 0.89, SEM = 1.12, and mean changes from baseline for patients classified as “improved,” “no change,” or “deteriorated” were −0.68, 0.02, and 0.58, respectively. Similar trends were observed in Study 206 all-SCA and SCA3 cohorts. The measurement properties of the f-SARA provide evidence of its psychometric validity, responsiveness, and suitability as a clinical outcome measure in patients with SCA, including those with SCA3.

CheekAge: a next-generation buccal epigenetic aging clock associated with lifestyle and health

Epigenetic aging clocks are computational models that predict age using DNA methylation information. Initially, first-generation clocks were developed to make predictions using CpGs that change with age. Over time, next-generation clocks were created using CpGs that relate to both age and health. Since existing next-generation clocks were constructed in blood, we sought to develop a next-generation clock optimized for prediction in cheek swabs, which are non-invasive and easy to collect. To do this, we collected MethylationEPIC data as well as lifestyle and health information from 8045 diverse adults. Using a novel simulated annealing approach that allowed us to incorporate lifestyle and health factors into training as well as a combination of CpG filtering, CpG clustering, and clock ensembling, we constructed CheekAge, an epigenetic aging clock that has a strong correlation with age, displays high test–retest reproducibility across replicates, and significantly associates with a plethora of lifestyle and health factors, such as BMI, smoking status, and alcohol intake. We validated CheekAge in an internal dataset and multiple publicly available datasets, including samples from patients with progeria or meningioma. In addition to exploring the underlying biology of the data and clock, we provide a free online tool that allows users to mine our methylomic data and predict epigenetic age.

A systematic review and meta analysis of measurement properties for the flexion relaxation ratio in people with and without non specific spine pain

This review sought to identify, critically appraise, compare, and summarize the literature on the reliability, discriminative validity and responsiveness of the flexion relaxation ratio (FRR) in adults (≥ 18 years old) with or without spine pain (any duration), in either a clinical or research context. The review protocol was registered on Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/27EDF) and follows COSMIN, PRISMA, and PRESS guidelines. Six databases were searched from inception to June 1, 2022. The search string was developed by content experts and a health services librarian. Two pairs of reviewers independently completed titles/abstracts and full text screening for inclusion, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment (COSMIN RoB Toolkit). At all stages, discrepancies were resolved through consensus meetings. Data were pooled where possible with a three-level random effects meta-analyses and a modified GRADE assessment was used for the summary of findings. Following duplicate removal, 728 titles/abstracts and 219 full texts were screened with 23 included in this review. We found, with moderate certainty of evidence, that the cervical FRR has high test–retest reliability and lumbar FRR has moderate to high test–retest reliability, and with high certainty of evidence that the cervical and lumbar FRR can discriminate between healthy and clinical groups (standardized mean difference − 1.16 [95% CI − 2.00, − 0.32] and − 1.21 [− 1.84, − 0.58] respectively). There was not enough evidence to summarize findings for thoracic FRR discriminative validity or the standard error of measurement for the FRR. Several studies used FRR assuming responsiveness, but no studies were designed in a way that could confirm responsiveness. The evidence supports adequate reliability of FRR for the cervical and lumbar spine, and discriminative validity for the cervical and lumbar spine only. Improvements in study design and reporting are needed to strengthen the evidence base to determine the remaining measurement properties of this outcome.

Analysis of the longitudinal stability of human plasma miRNAs and implications for disease biomarkers

There is great interest in developing clinical biomarker assays that can aid in non-invasive diagnosis and/or monitoring of human diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological diseases. Yet little is known about the longitudinal stability of miRNAs in human plasma. Here we assessed the intraindividual longitudinal stability of miRNAs in plasma from healthy human adults, and the impact of common factors (e.g., hemolysis, age) that may confound miRNA data. We collected blood by venipuncture biweekly over a 3-month period from 22 research participants who had fasted overnight, isolated total RNA, then performed miRNA qPCR. Filtering and normalization of the qPCR data revealed amplification of 134 miRNAs, 74 of which had high test–retest reliability and low percentage level drift, meaning they were stable in an individual over the 3-month time period. We also determined that, of nuisance factors, hemolysis and tobacco use have the greatest impact on miRNA levels and variance. These findings support that many miRNAs show intraindividual longitudinal stability in plasma from healthy human adults, including some reported as candidate biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease.

Pinch force sense test–retest reliability evaluation using contralateral force matching task

A high test–retest reliability in measurement of pinch force sense is required to assess a clinical parameter accurately over a longitudinal study. Ipsilateral reproduction (IR) task and contralateral matching (CM) task have commonly been used for the assessment of force sense. To date, there has been little research on the test–retest reliability of pinch force sense utilizing the contralateral force matching task. This research aimed to explore this phenomenon across a spectrum of reference force levels (10, 30, and 50 percent maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC)) using a contralateral matching task. Every participant in the study was tested twice by the same skilled experts, with each session separated by one week. Although normalized variable error indicated a poor level of reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = − 0.25 to 0.05) for these force sense tests, normalized constant error (ICC = 0.76–0.85) and normalized absolute error (ICC = 0.61–0.81) results indicated a fair to good of reliability. The lower bound of 95% CI of ICC for NAE and NCE indicated fair test–retest reliability (0.41–0.69). These findings suggest that investigators can reasonably obtain a fair to good test–retest reliability when investigating pinch force sense using the contralateral matching task. The Bland–Altman plots, SEM, and MDD95% were lower at these lower reference force level (10% MVIC) compared to the level of higher reference forces (30% and 50% MVIC). Therefore, when the reference force level increases, the participant needs a larger NAE or NCE decrease to show that their pinch force sense has indeed improved.

Evaluation of the test–retest and inter-mode comparability of the Impact of Vision Impairment questionnaire in people with chronic eye diseases

PurposeThe main objective of this study is to assess the test–retest and inter-administration mode reliability of the Impact of Vision Impairment profile (IVI), a common patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for people with chronic eye diseases.MethodsThe IVI was administered to adult patients with stable, chronic eye diseases two to four times per participant (average intervals between administrations 12 to 20 days; maximum two phone interviews, paper administration, electronic administration) by two trained interviewers. Rasch models were fit to the data. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), mean differences and Cronbach’s alpha between test–retest administrations (two phone interviews) and inter-mode comparisons were calculated.ResultsTwo hundred-sixteen patients (mean age 67 ± 12 years, 40% male) were included in the study. The IVI met all psychometric requirements of the Rasch model, and the division into the domains of functional items (IVI_F) and emotional items (IVI_E) corresponded to the German validation study. ICCs (all for IVI_F and IVI_E, respectively) for the retest administrations were 0.938 and 0.912, and 0.853 and 0.893 for inter-mode comparisons phone/paper, 0.939 and 0.930 for phone/electronic, and 0.937 and 0.920 for paper/electronic (all p < 0.01). Mean differences (all for IVI_F and IVI_E, respectively) for the retest administrations were 2.8% and 0.7% and ranged from 2.0% to 6.2% and from 0.4 % to 4.9% between administration modes. Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.886 to 0.944 for retest and inter-mode comparisons.ConclusionDue to the high test–retest reliability and the almost equally high comparability of different modes of administration of the IVI, the study endorses its use as a robust PROM to capture vision-related quality of life. Our results further support the use of the IVI as an endpoint in clinical trials and may simplify implementing it in both clinical trials or real-world evidence generation by offering multiple administration modes with high reliability.

Reliability and validity of the pressure algometer in predicting gynecological surgery pain

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the pressure algometer in predicting gynecological surgery pain. We looked into the predictive value of preoperative pain sensitivity to gynecological pain and the relationship between preoperative pressure pain threshold (PPT), pressure pain tolerance (PTO), and postoperative pain outcomes. Methods Reliability test: We recruited 60 volunteers at Nantong University. For three consecutive days, two examiners measured the pain sensitivity of each participant using a pressure algometer. Its test–retest and intra-rater reliability were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Validity test: We selected patients who underwent gynecological surgery in a hospital for the validity test. Before surgery, we assessed the patient’s pain sensitivity to various stimuli. To determine the relationship between preoperative pain sensitivity and postoperative pain, we collected postoperative Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and sufentanil consumption data. Results The algometer revealed a high test–retest and intra-rater reliability. According to the calculation of Youden’s index, there was a 73.1% chance of patients with moderate to severe postoperative pain having a PTO <6.22 N, and patients with PTO <6.22 N had an 87.5% probability of moderate to severe postoperative pain. Conclusions The pressure algometer has a high degree of accuracy in measuring the PPT and PTO of normal healthy individuals, making it a reliable tool for quantifying pain sensitivity. PTO can be used to predict the occurrence of moderate to severe postoperative pain.

The Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire: Validation of the French Version in Non-clinical Adults.

Various studies indicate the role of experiential avoidance (EA) in the onset and maintenance of mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders. The Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ) is a quick tool to assess EA. This study aimed to translate the BEAQ into French and to validate it in a sample of non-clinical adults. The BEAQ was translated from English into French using the translation and back-translation technique. The translated questionnaire was submitted to 93 psychology students to identify unclear/ambiguous items. Then, the final French and the original versions of the BEAQ were administered to 64 bilingual individuals two weeks apart to assess the scale's content validity and test-retest reliability. Finally, the BEAQ-French and other scales were administered to 580 non-clinical adults to assess its factor structure and its convergent and discriminant validity. Results showed no significant difference between the English and French versions of the BEAQ. The BEAQ demonstrated high internal consistency and good test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analyses did not support the one-factor structure of the BEAQ. Exploratory factor analyses revealed a two-factor structure. The BEAQ presented satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity with related measures and measures of neuroticism, negative affect and mental health problems. The results suggest that the BEAQ-French is a reliable tool for assessing EA. Unlike the original version, the BEAQ-French exhibits a two-factor rather than a one-factor structure. Further research is needed to confirm this two-factor structure and to assess more precisely the convergent validity of the scale.