Danish translation, adaptation and validation of the ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire for children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Purpose

To translate and cross-culturally adapt the ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire into Danish and assess its psychometric properties in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Materials and methods

A Danish version of the parent-reported ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire was created through a standardized translation process. Dimensionality (confirmatory factor analysis), reliability, smallest detectable change, floor and ceiling effects, and Rasch analysis were carried out.

Results

One-hundred-and-fifty children diagnosed with CP were included. No parent had difficulty completing the ABILHAND-Kids (DK). Psychometric testing demonstrated a unidimensional scale, excellent test-retest reliability (ICC2.1A = 0.97) and internal consistency (α = 0.96). A smallest detectable change of 5.15 points was considered acceptable. One item showed Differential Item Functioning, four pairs of items showed signs of local dependence and one item had disordered thresholds. Nevertheless, analyses did not lead to the removal of any items. Item thresholds covered most levels of person abilities. Lastly, 24.7% scored within measurement error at the ceiling of the scale, indicating that it was not possible to measure further improvement.

Conclusion

ABILHAND-Kids (DK) seems to be a valid, reliable and comprehensive measurement scale to assess manual ability in children with CP. It can be used in goal setting and to inform future interventions and rehabilitation evaluation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Impaired hand function leads to limited participation in activities of everyday life in children with cerebral palsy.

• Adequate outcome measures of hand function are crucial for the planning and evaluation of interventions.

• The Danish version of ABILHAND-Kids is a valid and reliable measure of manual ability in children with cerebral palsy, and it can be used in clinical practice and for research purposes.

Keywords:

• Cerebral palsy [MeHS]
• hand function
• manual ability
• measurement properties
• psychometric properties
• upper extremity [MeHS]

Acknowledgements

We want to thank all participating parents and children. Furthermore, we would like to thank the translators, the therapist who collected the baseline data for the project and the advisory board: Therese Nilsen OT, Lone Hellebjerg OT, Susanne Hygum Sørensen OT, Camilla Vagnsbjerg OT, Birte Wojcik OT, and Mette Hansen OT. We also want to thank the developer of the original ABILHAND-Kids Carlyne Arnould PhD for collaboration on this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The present research was financially supported by the Danish Ministry of Health.