Test-Retest Reliability of the Motor-Free Visual Perception Test Revised (MVPT-R) in Children with and Without Learning Disabilities

Abstract

The Motor-Free Visual Perceptual Test Revised (MVPT-R) is an updated edition of the original test with the addition of four items and normative data for 9-11-year-old children. Test-retest reliability studies on the MVPT-R are not reported. The purpose of this paper is to report the test-retest reliability of the MVPT-R in children with and without learning disabilities. The MVPT-R was administered to 38 children with identified learning disabilities and 37 control children (aged 7-10 years) on two separate occasions within a 2.5 week window of time. Inter-rater reliability agreement between examiners was 99%. Intra-class correlations for perceptual quotient scores ranged from .63-.79 and perceptual age scores ranged from .69-.86. Pearson product moment correlations for perceptual quotient scores ranged from .70-.80 and perceptual age scores ranged from .77-.87. Results suggest moderate test-retest reliability for the MVPT-R with more stability in visual perceptual scores for children with learning disabilities. This information will be helpful for therapists using the MVPT-R as a descriptive measure for children.

Key Words:

• Visual perception
• reliability
• learning disability
• measurement

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Patricia A. Burtner

Michael Lepp, PT, is in private practice, Associate Instructor of the Upledger Institute, and Clinical Instructor, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH.

Marie McKenzie, MS, OTR, is in private practice. She was Coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Scottish Rite Hospital at the time of this study.

Heather Miller, MS, OTR/L, is currently employed by Madison County Educational Service Center, providing therapy services to the county's pre-schools. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an MS degree at Ohio State University.

Linda Viscardis, BA, is Team Leader and Community Development Worker, Peterborough Family Enrichment Centre. She is Co-Founder of P.R.O.S.P.E.C.T.S., a support and advocacy group for families who have children with special needs.

Debra Stewart, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Erinoak, Serving Young People with Physical Disabilities, Mississauga, ON, and Clinical Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.

Janette McDougall, MA, was Project Coordinator

Kip Husted, BEd, was a parent representative on the study team.

Aviva Yochman, MA, OTR, was a student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel at the time of this study.

Imelda Burgman, MA OTR/L BCP, completed her MA in Movement Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University, and was an Occupational Therapist at The Shield Institute, Bronx, NY. She is currently Lecturer, Habilitation, School of Community Health, Faculty of Health Studies, Charles Sturt University, Albury, N.S.W., Australia.

Barbara J. Steva, OTWL, BCP, is Occupational Therapist, University of New England Community Occupational Therapy Clinic, Saco, ME. She was Director of Occupational Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation, Franciscan Children's Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Boston, MA, when this work was completed.