Inter- and Intra-Rater Reliability of a Newly Developed Assessment Scale: The Dyadic Interaction in Dementia Transfer Assessment Scale (DIDTAS)

ABSTRACT

Aim: To study the inter- and intra-rater reliability of a newly developed assessment scale, the Dyadic Interaction in Dementia Transfer Assessment Scale (DIDTAS). Methods: Two physiotherapists completed the observational form of the DIDTAS while watching 20 video-films of sit-to-stand-transfers or bedside transfers (i.e., caregiver-assisted transfers), videotaped in a dementia special care unit. Two-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used for calculating ICC values of each item. Results: The results supported the overall reliability of the DIDTAS items with variations in inter- and intra-rater reliability, with ICC values from 0.35 to 0.92. Conclusion: On the basis of the transfer-related actions of dementia care dyads, the DIDTAS was shown to be sufficiently reliable. This in turn can provide healthcare professionals seeing and treating individuals suffering from dementia with a new method for assessing actions related to person transfer situations in dementia care facilities.

KEYWORDS. :

• Assessment tool
• behavioral medicine
• dementia
• physical therapy
• reliability test