Article

This study investigated the internal construct validity and dimensionality
of the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (Melbourne
Assessment), a widely-used measure of quality of upper limb movement, valid for
children aged 2 years 6 months to 15 years with cerebral palsy. METHOD: Rasch
analysis was used to assess of Melbourne Assessment raw scores for 163 children
(94 males, 69 females; mean age 8y, SD 3y 5mo). Analysis was undertaken on the
full scale comprising 37 scores and on groups of scores separated into four
distinct movement subscales: range of movement, accuracy, dexterity, and fluency.
Tests were conducted to evaluate overall model fit, item fit, suitability of the
response options, unidimensionality, and differential item functioning (DIF) for
sex, child age, and different raters. RESULTS: The results did not support the
unidimensionality of the 37-score scale. The four subscales showed adequate model
fit after removal of some score items, and rescaling of others. The resulting
subscales showed good internal consistency and no DIF for sex or child age.
INTERPRETATION: This study provides empirical support for a revised version of
the Melbourne Assessment which comprises 14 tasks and 30 movement scores grouped
across four separate subscales. Further testing is required to assess the
responsiveness of subscales to clinically important change.
CI - (c) 2014 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS