Reliability of the Motor Learning Strategy Rating Instrument for Children and Youth with Acquired Brain Injury

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate reliability and feasibility of the Motor Learning Strategy Rating Instrument (MLSRI) in children with acquired brain injury (ABI). The MLSRI quantifies the extent to which motor learning strategies (MLS) are used within physiotherapy (PT) interventions. Methods: PT sessions conducted by ABI team physiotherapists with a convenience sample of children with ABI (4–18 years) were videotaped and independently scored later by two raters trained in MLSRI use. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated intra- and inter-rater reliability. Results: Eighteen PT sessions were evaluated. Intra- and inter-rater reliability ICCs for total score were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.66–0.94) and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.08–0.78), respectively. MLSRI category ICCs were 0.56–0.86 (intra-rater) and 0.16–0.84 (inter-rater). Conclusions: Intra-rater reliability of MSLRI total score was excellent. Moderate inter-rater reliability may partially be due to inconsistent item interpretation between raters. Revisions and further reliability testing are required before recommending the MLSRI for clinical and research use.

KEYWORDS. :

• Health care systems/practice
• motor learning
• psychometric testing
• TBI