Psychometric evaluation of the Scandinavian version of the caregiver priorities and child health index of life with disabilities

Abstract

Purpose: To examine test–retest reliability and construct validity of the Scandinavian version of the caregiver priorities and child health index of life with disabilities (CPCHILD) questionnaire for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Families were recruited in Sweden and Norway and stratified according to the gross motor function classification system levels I–V for children born 2000–2011, mean age 7.9 (SD 3.2). Construct validity based on the first questionnaire (n = 106) was evaluated for known groups, using linear regression analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficient was used to estimate test–retest reliability (n = 64), and Cronbach’s alpha was calculated as an indicator of internal consistency.

Results: The questionnaire showed construct validity and the ability to discriminate between levels of gross motor function for the total score and all domain scores (p < 0.05). Test–retest reliability was high with intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.92 for the total score and of 0.72–0.92 for the domain scores. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.96 for the total score and 0.83–0.96 for the domain scores.

Conclusions: The Scandinavian version of the CPCHILD for children with CP seems to be a valid and reliable proxy measure for health related quality of life.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Valid and reliable outcome measures are needed to evaluate whether follow-up programs enhance health related quality of life in different countries.

• The Scandinavian version of the caregiver priorities and child health index of life with disabilities (CPCHILD) was evaluated for known-groups validity and test–retest reliability.

• The Scandinavian version of the CPCHILD is a sound and valid measurement for evaluation and comparison of health related quality of life of children with cerebral palsy in different countries.

Keywords:

• Cerebral palsy
• quality of life
• GMFCS
• CPCHILD
• validity
• reliability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Norrbacka-Eugenia Foundation and Riksförbundet för rörelsehindrade barn och ungdomar. We thank Associate Professor Andreas Rosenblad at the Centre for Clinical Research Västerås, Uppsala University, for assistance with the power calculation.