Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

  Reliability and Validity of the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test in Children with Cerebral Palsy

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  M. Gharib [1] , S.A. Hossieni [2] , N. Akbar Fahimi [3] , M. Salehi [4]

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  Received: 18/11/09 Sent for Revision: 23/02/10 Received Revised Manuscript: 19/07/10 Accepted: 04/09/10

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  Background and Objectives: Existance of a reliable and valid test in order to evaluate the impact of treatment on the quality of upper extremity skills at an early age is necessary . This study was conducted to measure the reliability and validity of Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test in children with cerebral palsy.

  Materials and Methods: In this methodological study, 20 children with cerebral palsy referred to two rehabilitation centers (Bahar and Omide Asr) were selected in the summer and autumn of 2008. Each of the therapist in the two centers did the test for the selected children twice with a 10 day interval (the inter objective reliability). Then in the 10th day, both therapists worked on children simultaneously.

  Results: Results showed significant correlation in intera objective subscales (0.89-0.99) and intera objective total scores (0.91-0.98). Inter objective subscales were 0.73-0.99 and total scores were 0.87-0.98 (p≤0.001).

  Conclusion: The present study showed high inter and intera reliability and validity of QUEST, so it could measure the quality of upper extremity skills in children with cerebral palsy.

  Key words: Cerbral Palsy, QUEST, Validity, Reliability

  Funding: This research was funded by University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences.

  Conflict of Interest: None declared.

  Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences approved the study.

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  [1] - Academic Member, Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  (Corresponding Author) Tel: (021) 22180099, Fax: (021) 22180099, E-mail: gharib_masoud@yahoo.com

  [2] - Assistant Prof., University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  [3] - PhD. Student of Occupational therapy, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  [4] - Assistant Prof., Dept. of Biostatistics, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran