Test–Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of an fMRI-Compatible Pneumatic Vibrator to Stimulate Muscle Proprioceptors

Processing proprioceptive information in the brain is essential for optimal postural control and can be studied with proprioceptive stimulation, provided by muscle vibration, during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Classic electromagnetic muscle vibrators, however, cannot be used in the high-strength magnetic field of the fMRI scanner. Pneumatic vibrators offer an fMRI-compatible alternative. However, whether these devices produce reliable and valid proprioceptive stimuli has not been investigated, although this is essential for these devices to be used in longitudinal research. Test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of the postural response to muscle vibration, provided by custom-made fMRI-compatible pneumatic vibrators, were assessed in a repeated-measures design. Mean center of pressure (CoP) displacements during, respectively, ankle muscle and back muscle vibration (45–60 Hz, 0.5 mm) provided by an electromagnetic and a pneumatic vibrator were measured in ten young healthy subjects. The test was repeated on the same day and again within one week. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess (a) intra- and interday reliability of the postural responses to, respectively, pneumatic and electromagnetic vibration, and (b) concurrent validity of the response to pneumatic compared to electromagnetic vibration. Test–retest reliability of mean CoP displacements during pneumatic vibration was good to excellent (ICCs = 0.64–0.90) and resembled that of responses to electromagnetic vibration (ICCs = 0.64–0.94). Concurrent validity of the postural effect of pneumatic vibration was good to excellent (ICCs = 0.63–0.95). In conclusion, the proposed fMRI-compatible pneumatic vibrator can be used with confidence to stimulate muscle spindles during fMRI to study central processing of proprioception.

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Psychometric properties of instruments to measure parenting practices and children’s movement behaviors in low-income families from Brazil

BMC Medical Research Methodology ◽

10.1186/s12874-021-01320-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Widjane Sheila Ferreira Goncalves ◽

Rebecca Byrne ◽

Pedro Israel Cabral de Lira ◽

Marcelo Tavares Viana ◽

Stewart G. Trost

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Screen Time ◽

Parenting Practices ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Culturally Adapted ◽

Total Movement ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Abstract Background Childhood obesity has increased remarkably in low and middle-income (LMIC) countries. Movement behaviors (physical activity, screen time, and sleep) are crucial in the development of overweight and obesity in young children. Yet, few studies have investigated the relationship between children’s movement behaviors and parenting practices because validated measures for use among families from LMIC are lacking. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of previously validated measures of young children’s physical activity, screen time, and sleep and parenting practices, translated and culturally adapted to Brazilian families. Methods A total of 78 parent-child dyads completed an interviewer-administered survey twice within 7 days. Child physical activity, sedentary time and sleep were concurrently measured using a wrist-worn accelerometer. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability was assessed using McDonald’s Omega and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC’s). Concurrent validity was evaluated by calculating Spearman correlations between parent reported child behaviors and accelerometer measured behaviors. Results Seventeen of the 19 parenting practices scales exhibited acceptable internal consistency reliability (Ω ≥ 0.70). Test-retest reliability ICC’s were acceptable and ranged from 0.82 - 0.99. Parent reported child physical activity was positively correlated with objectively measured total movement (rho= 0.29 - 0.46, p < .05) and energetic play (rho= 0.29 – 0.40, p < .05). Parent reported child screen time was positively correlated with objectively measured sedentary time; (rho = 0.26, p < .05), and inversely correlated with total movement (rho = - 0.39 – - 0.41, p < .05) and energetic play (rho = - 0.37 – - 0.41, p < .05). Parent reported night-time sleep duration was significantly correlated with accelerometer measured sleep duration on weekdays (rho = 0.29, p < .05), but not weekends. Conclusions Measurement tools to assess children’s movement behaviors and parenting practices, translated and culturally adapted for use in Brazilian families, exhibited acceptable evidence of concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability.

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Test–retest reliability of laser evoked pain perception and fMRI BOLD responses

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79196-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yanzhi Bi ◽

Xin Hou ◽

Jiahui Zhong ◽

Li Hu

Keyword(s):

Resting State ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Subjective Experience ◽

Pain Perception ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Repeated Measures Design ◽

Brain Responses ◽

Test Retest Reliability

AbstractPain perception is a subjective experience and highly variable across time. Brain responses evoked by nociceptive stimuli are highly associated with pain perception and also showed considerable variability. To date, the test–retest reliability of laser-evoked pain perception and its associated brain responses across sessions remain unclear. Here, an experiment with a within-subject repeated-measures design was performed in 22 healthy volunteers. Radiant-heat laser stimuli were delivered on subjects’ left-hand dorsum in two sessions separated by 1–5 days. We observed that laser-evoked pain perception was significantly declined across sessions, coupled with decreased brain responses in the bilateral primary somatosensory cortex (S1), right primary motor cortex, supplementary motor area, and middle cingulate cortex. Intraclass correlation coefficients between the two sessions showed “fair” to “moderate” test–retest reliability for pain perception and brain responses. Additionally, we observed lower resting-state brain activity in the right S1 and lower resting-state functional connectivity between right S1 and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the second session than the first session. Altogether, being possibly influenced by changes of baseline mental state, laser-evoked pain perception and brain responses showed considerable across-session variability. This phenomenon should be considered when designing experiments for laboratory studies and evaluating pain abnormalities in clinical practice.

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Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of Barkley Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Screening Tool among the Elderly

Scientifica ◽

10.1155/2017/9109783 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mostafa Sadeghi ◽

Homayoun Sadeghi-Bazargani ◽

Shahrokh Amiri

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Persian Version ◽

Test Retest Reliability ◽

Tabriz City

Background. The Barkley Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV) was developed, and it demonstrated good psychometric properties. The BAARS-IV includes 27 questions on the symptoms of adult ADHD. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the psychometric testing of the Persian version of BAARS-IV among the elderlies in Tabriz City. Method. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tabriz City—in the west of Iran—in 2015 via enrolling of 121 old-aged people. We did the process of translation and adaptation of BAARS-IV and examined its concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Result. The BAARS-IV demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Correlations between the BAARS-IV and the CAARS-S: SV were high and evidence supporting concurrent validity was revealed. Cronbach’s alpha for the overall scale and subscales stood at 0.89, 0.81, 0.66, 0.56, and 0.82, respectively. Conclusion. The Persian BAARS-IV showed acceptable reliability and validity. BAARS-IV was determined to be composed of internally consistent and psychometrically sound items.

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Criterion validity and reliability of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Hungarian short form against the RM42 accelerometer

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10372-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Pongrác Ács ◽

Réka Veress ◽

Paulo Rocha ◽

Tamás Dóczi ◽

Bence László Raposa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽

Short Form ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽

Test Retest Reliability ◽

Activity Questionnaire

Abstract Background Physical inactivity is a global phenomenon in European welfare countries. Proper monitoring is essential to measure the physical activity level of the population. Methods In the Hungarian cohort of the European Physical Activity and Sport Monitoring System (EUPASMOS) project, our participants (N = 598) completed sociodemographic questions and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – short form (IPAQ-SF) survey. The validity and reliability of the subjective measurement tool were examined, IPAQ-SF outcomes were contrasted against triaxial RM42 accelerometer wore for 7 consecutive days. Results The IPAQ-SF showed moderate internal consistency (Cronbach Alpha = 0.647). The concurrent validity of the IPAQ-SF to triaxial accelerometer indicated a significant weak-to-moderate correlation (R = 0.111–0.338, p = 0.042; p < 0.001). The test-retest reliability showed a significant correlation between two measurements (R = 0.788–0.981, p < 0.001). Conclusion The Hungarian version of the IPAQ-SF had excellent test-retest reliability, but low-to-fair concurrent validity for moderate and vigorous physical activity, walking and sitting time, as compared to the objective criterion measure among Hungarian adults.

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Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Chinese Counseling Competencies Scale-Revised

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.688539 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Wei Xia ◽

William Ho Cheung Li ◽

Tingna Liang ◽

Yuanhui Luo ◽

Laurie Long Kwan Ho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Concurrent Validity ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Psychometric Evaluation ◽

Counseling Competencies ◽

Counselors In Training ◽

Rater Reliability ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Objectives: This study conducted a linguistic and psychometric evaluation of the Chinese Counseling Competencies Scale-Revised (CCS-R).Methods: The Chinese CCS-R was created from the original English version using a standard forward-backward translation process. The psychometric properties of the Chinese CCS-R were examined in a cohort of 208 counselors-in-training by two independent raters. Fifty-three counselors-in-training were asked to undergo another counseling performance evaluation for the test-retest. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted for the Chinese CCS-R, followed by internal consistency, test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, convergent validity, and concurrent validity.Results: The results of the CFA supported the factorial validity of the Chinese CCS-R, with adequate construct replicability. The scale had a McDonald's omega of 0.876, and intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.63 and 0.90 for test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability, respectively. Significantly positive correlations were observed between the Chinese CCS-R score and scores of performance checklist (Pearson's γ = 0.781), indicating a large convergent validity, and knowledge on drug abuse (Pearson's γ = 0.833), indicating a moderate concurrent validity.Conclusion: The results support that the Chinese CCS-R is a valid and reliable measure of the counseling competencies.Practice implication: The CCS-R provides trainers with a reliable tool to evaluate counseling students' competencies and to facilitate discussions with trainees about their areas for growth.

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The Persian Version of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI): Translation and Evaluation of Its Psychometric Properties

Archives of Breast Cancer ◽

10.32768/abc.201964174-180 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 174-180

Author(s):

Fatemeh Sadat Bateni ◽

Maryam Rahmatian ◽

Ahmad Kaviani ◽

Sebastian Simard ◽

Mehdi Soleimani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Goodness Of Fit ◽

Cancer Recurrence ◽

Fear Of Cancer Recurrence ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Persian Version ◽

Fear Of Cancer ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Background: This study aimed to translate and validate the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI) questionnaire into Persian and to investigate its psychometric properties. Methods: The FCRI was translated to Persian using a linguistic methodology according to WHO guidelines. A total of 450 breast cancer survivors who had the following inclusion criteria were included: time elapse of more than six months after the treatment prior to the study; absence ofobjective markers of recurrence, fluency in the Persian language, and signing the informed consent. Internal consistency was estimated with Cronbach's α coefficient and test-retest reliability with Interclass correlation. Concurrent validity was estimated through Pearson’s correlation between the FCRI and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Principal component analysis (PCA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were employed to evaluate dimensionality. Results: The Persian version was acceptable for patients. The content validity index (CVI) was 0.80. The instrument had good test-retest reliability (ICC= 0.96) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.86). PCA and CFA indicated that the factor structure of the Persian version was similar to the original questionnaire and had acceptable goodness of fit. Correlations between the FCRI and HADS was remarkable (r= 0.252 – 0.639), indicating acceptable concurrent validity. Conclusions: The Persian version of FCRI could be considered a good cross-cultural equivalent for the original English version. The questionnaire was a reliable and valid instrument in terms of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and dimensionality.

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Novel Ultrasonographic Thickness and Strength Assessments of the Flexor Digitorum: A Reliability Analysis

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2021.4030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 269-278

Author(s):

Christos I Ioannou ◽

Franziska L Hodde-Chriske ◽

Marios N Avraamides ◽

Eckart Altenmüller

Keyword(s):

High Sensitivity ◽

Extensor Digitorum ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Custom Made ◽

Smallest Detectable Change ◽

The Mean ◽

The Right ◽

Flexor Digitorum ◽

Clinical Conditions ◽

Test Retest Reliability

OBJECTIVES: Clinical conditions such as focal dystonia often require the assessment of atrophy and weakness of the finger muscles. However, due to a lack of well-established protocols, the current investigation focused on assessing the reliability of thickness and strength assessments of the flexor digitorum (FD) muscle, including both the superficialis and profundus components. As a secondary assessment, the reliability of the strength measurement of the extensor digitorum muscle was examined as well. METHODS: Different thickness measurements of the FD were taken via ultrasonography and averaged to estimate the mean thickness of the FD. Likewise, individual finger strength measurements taken by a custom-made finger pressure device were averaged to compute the mean strength of the flexor and extensor digitorum muscles. Test-retest reliability of the above measurements performed at two different time points (about 6 months apart) were examined on the right and left hands of 10 participants. RESULTS: Findings indicated excellent test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.92) for the mean thickness assessment of the FD and mean strength of the flexor and extensor digitorum for both dominant and non-dominant hands. The standard error of measurement was ≤4.3% for all three mean assessments, indicating high sensitivity. Likewise, the smallest detectable change was also sufficiently small for the mean thickness and mean strength of the flexor digitorum (≤5.1%) and moderately small (≤12%) for the strength of the extensor digitorum. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated an excellent relative and absolute reliability, for both hands, for the mean thickness and strength assessments of the flexor digitorum muscle and for the mean strength of the extensor digitorum (measured for both hands). These measurements can be used for future investigations and can contribute to the establishment of more precise methods for assessing the muscles in the forearms which serve the hand.

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Sensorimotor and Perceptual Function of Muscle Proprioception in Microgravity

Journal of Vestibular Research ◽

10.3233/ves-1993-3307 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 259-273

Author(s):

J.P. Roll ◽

K. Popov ◽

V. Gurfinkel ◽

M. Lipshits ◽

C. André-Deshays ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Behavior ◽

Tibialis Anterior Muscle ◽

Sensory Function ◽

Whole Body ◽

Proprioceptive Information ◽

Muscle Vibration ◽

Flexor Muscle ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Postural Responses ◽

Third Dimension

Adaptive properties of the human proprioceptive systems were studied during the French-Soviet orbital flight (Aragatz mission, December 1988). The present space experiment investigated the hypothesis that the modifications of both biomechanical and physiological conditions occurring under microgravity involve considerable reorganization of body perception and postural control. The proprioceptive information originating in muscles is known to contribute, together with visual, vestibular, and sole cutaneous information to postural regulation. Moreover, by specifically activating the proprioceptive channel, muscle vibration is able to elicit both illusory movement sensations and postural responses. This experimental tool was used in microgravity in order to test various aspects of muscle sensory function. Ankle flexor and extensor vibration was applied under different experimental conditions. Quantitative analysis of motor responses was carried out on leg muscle EMG, goniometric, and kinesigraphic recordings. Joystick recordings and astronauts’ comments were used to describe the kinaesthetic sensations. The main results were as follows: 1) Under microgravity, the sensitivity of muscle receptors remains unchanged. 2) During the flight, the tonic vibration reflexes (TVR) increased significantly in flexor muscles, which exhibited a sustained tonic activity. 3) The whole-body postural responses normally induced by ankle flexor muscle vibration were suppressed, whereas they remained unchanged or were only reduced when vibrations were applied to the ankle extensor muscles. In all cases, the postural response velocity decreased. 4) A disfacilitation of the vibration-induced postural illusions was observed to occur during long-term exposure to microgravity. These illusions became atypical however. For example: body lift illusion could be induced by tibialis anterior muscle vibration, whereas it was never induced in the controls. The characteristics of the illusory body movements described under normal gravity can be restored by artificially increasing the axial foot support forces during the flight. In conclusion, these data suggest that a functional reorganization of the proprioceptive information processing occurs in microgravity, affecting both perceptual and motor aspects of behavior. It is possible that these proprioceptive adaptations may be partly attributable to the new whole-body propulsive foot functions imposed by exposure to weightlessness and to the adaptation of motor behavior to the third dimension of space.

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Validity and Reliability of Gifted Rating Scales-School Form in Sample of Teachers and Parents – A Czech Contribution

Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment ◽

10.1177/0734282920970718 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 073428292097071

Author(s):

Michal Jabůrek ◽

Adam Ťápal ◽

Šárka Portešová ◽

Steven I. Pfeiffer

Keyword(s):

Factor Structure ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Rating Scales ◽

Teacher Rating ◽

Halo Effect ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Alternative Models ◽

Teachers And Parents ◽

Test Retest Reliability

The factor structure, the concurrent validity, and test–retest reliability of the Czech translation of the Gifted Rating Scales-School Form [GRS-S; Pfeiffer, S. I., & Jarosewich, T. (2003). GRS (gifted rating scales) - manual. Pearson] were evaluated. Ten alternative models were tested. Four models were found to exhibit acceptable fit and interpretability. The factor structure was comparable for both parent ( n = 277) and teacher raters ( n = 137). High correlations between the factors suggest that raters might be subject to a halo effect. Ratings made by teachers show a closer relationship with criteria (WJ IE II COG, CFT 20-R, and TIM3–5) than ratings made by parents. Test–retest reliability of teacher rating (with median 93 days) was quite high for all GRS-S subscales ( r = .84–.87).

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A study of the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215520927445 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (8) ◽

pp. 1112-1121

Author(s):

Jing Wang ◽

Haibo Di ◽

Wen Hua ◽

Liwen Cheng ◽

Zhigang Xia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Internal Consistency ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Disorders Of Consciousness ◽

Chinese Version ◽

Rater Reliability ◽

Validity Data ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Coma Scale ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Objective: The aim of the study was to check on the reliability and validity of the translated version of Nociception Coma Scale–Revised. Design: Prospective psychometric study. Setting: Rehabilitation and neurology unit in hospital. Subjects: Patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness. Interventions: None. Main measures: The original English version of the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised was translated into Chinese. The reliability and validity were undertaken by trained raters. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to assess inter-rater reliability and test–retest reliability. Cronbach’s alpha test was used to investigate internal consistency. Spearman’s correlation was used to calculate concurrent validity. The Coma Recovery Scale–revised was used to assess the consciousness of patients. Results: Eighty-four patients were enrolled in the study. Inter-rater reliability of the Chinese version of Nociception Coma Scale–Revised was high for total scores and motor and verbal subscores and good for facial subscores. Test–retest reliability was high for total score and for all subscores. Analysis revealed a moderate internal consistency for subscores. For the concurrent validity, a strong correlation was found between the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability behavioral scale for all patients. A moderate correlation was found between the Nociception Coma Scale–Revised and the Coma Recovery Scale–revised scores for all patients. Conclusion: The Chinese version of Nociception Coma Scale–Revised has good reliability and validity data for assessing responses to pain in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness.

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