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The Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System: concurrent validity and reliability in children with cerebral palsy
Author(s) -
Tschirren Lea,
Bauer Susanne,
Hanser Chiara,
Marsico Petra,
Sellers Diane,
Hedel Hubertus J A
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.13751
Subject(s) - cerebral palsy , inter rater reliability , psychology , gross motor function classification system , concurrent validity , reliability (semiconductor) , functional independence measure , kappa , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , audiology , psychometrics , psychiatry , medicine , activities of daily living , rating scale , power (physics) , physics , linguistics , philosophy , quantum mechanics , internal consistency
Aim As there is little evidence for concurrent validity of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System ( EDACS ), this study aimed to determine its concurrent validity and reliability in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy ( CP ). Method After an extensive translation procedure, we applied the German language version to 52 participants with CP (30 males, 22 females, mean age 9y 7mo [ SD 4y 2mo]). We correlated (Kendall's tau or K τ ) the EDACS levels with the Bogenhausener Dysphagiescore ( BODS ), and the EDACS level of assistance with the Manual Ability Classification System ( MACS ) and the item ‘eating’ of the Functional Independence Measure for Children (Wee FIM ). We further quantified the interrater reliability between speech and language therapists (Sa LT s) and between Sa LT s and parents with Kappa ( κ ). Results The EDACS levels correlated highly with the BODS ( K τ =0.79), and the EDACS level of assistance correlated highly with the MACS ( K τ =0.73) and Wee FIM eating item ( K τ =−0.80). Interrater reliability proved almost perfect between Sa LT s ( EDACS : κ =0.94; EDACS level of assistance: κ =0.89) and Sa LT s and parents ( EDACS : κ =0.82; EDACS level of assistance: κ =0.89). Interpretation The EDACS levels and level of assistance seem valid and showed almost perfect interrater reliability when classifying eating and drinking problems in children and adolescents with CP . What this paper adds The Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) correlates well with a dysphagia score. The EDACS level of assistance proves valid. The German version of EDACS is highly reliable. EDACS correlates moderately to highly with other classification systems.