OBJECTIVE. This study examined the relationship between childhood obesity and overweight and functional activity and its enjoyment. METHOD. A cross-sectional design was used to analyze data from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey National Youth Fitness Survey. Multivariate logistic regression models were used. RESULTS. Data for 1,640 children ages 3–15 yr were retrieved. Physical activity was negatively associated with risk of obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.87, 0.98]). Although children who were obese and overweight were more likely to have functional limitations (ORs = 1.58–1.61), their enjoyment of physical activity participation was not significantly different from that of the healthy-weight group. CONCLUSION. Physical activity lowered the risk of obesity. Children who were obese had functional limitations compared with healthy-weight children, but both groups enjoyed physical activity equally. Future studies are needed to determine barriers to participation among these children in recreation and sporting activities.

Date Presented 4/16/2015 A measurement model with two constructs (weight of objects and distance from the floor) explained 83% of the variance (p < .01) for the challenging levels of the gross upper-extremity (GUE) measure of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF; World Health Organization, 2001). This finding suggests a possible underlying measurement model for upper-extremity function.

We determined the concurrent criterion validity of the Safe Driving Behavior Measure (SDBM) for on-road outcomes (passing or failing the on-road test as determined by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist) among older drivers and their family members–caregivers. On the basis of ratings from 168 older drivers and 168 family members–caregivers, we calculated receiver operating characteristic curves. The drivers’ area under the curve (AUC) was .620 (95% confidence interval [CI] = .514–.725, p = .043). The family members–caregivers’ AUC was .726 (95% CI = .622–.829, p ≤ .01). Older drivers’ ratings showed statistically significant yet poor concurrent criterion validity, but family members–caregivers’ ratings showed good concurrent criterion validity for the criterion on-road driving test. Continuing research with a more representative sample is being pursued to confirm the SDBM’s concurrent criterion validity. This screening tool may be useful for generalist practitioners to use in making decisions regarding driving.

We investigated the psychometric properties of the 68-item Safe Driving Behavior Measure (SDBM) with 80 older drivers, 80 caregivers, and 2 evaluators from two sites. Using Rasch analysis, we examined unidimensionality and local dependence; rating scale; item- and person-level psychometrics; and item hierarchy of older drivers, caregivers, and driving evaluators who had completed the SDBM. The evidence suggested the SDBM is unidimensional, but pairs of items showed local dependency. Across the three rater groups, the data showed good person (≥3.4) and item (≥3.6) separation as well as good person (≥.93) and item reliability (≥.92). Cronbach’s α was ≥.96, and few items were misfitting. Some of the items did not follow the hypothesized order of item difficulty. The SDBM classified the older drivers into six ability levels, but to fully calibrate the instrument it must be refined in terms of its items (e.g., item exclusion) and then tested among participants of lesser ability.

We used the Safe Driving Behavior Measure (SDBM) to determine rater reliability and rater effects (erratic responses, severity, leniency) in three rater groups: 80 older drivers (mean age = 73.26, standard deviation = 5.30), 80 family members or caregivers (age range = 20–85 yr), and two driving evaluators. Rater agreement was significant only between the evaluators and the family members or caregivers. Participants rated driving ability without erratic effects. We observed an overall rater effect only between the evaluator and family members or caregivers, with the evaluators being the more severe rater group. Training family members or caregivers to rate driving behaviors more consistently with the evaluator’s ratings may enhance the SDBM’s usability and provide a role for occupational therapists to interpret proxy reports as an entry point for logical and efficient driving safety interventions.

OBJECTIVE. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a global scale evaluating the impact of upper-extremity disorders. We sought to validate or challenge the unidimensional factor structure of the DASH. METHOD. Secondary analysis was performed on data collected from outpatient clinics. Factor analysis was performed in two steps, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). To provide further support for unidimensionality, fit statistics were calculated using the Andrich Rasch rating-scale model. RESULTS. EFA revealed three potential factors (eigenvalues = 18.40, 1.56, and 1.54). CFA was performed fitting a three-factor model. Tucker-Lewis Index (.99) and standardized root mean square residual (.05) values indicated good fit. Comparative fit index (.89) and root mean square error of approximation (.13) did not. When divided into three constructs, only one item misfit. CONCLUSION. More research is needed to determine situations in which division of the DASH may enhance interpretability.

PURPOSE. We generated a clinically useful data collection form for the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. This data collection form is designed to aid in measuring change and goal setting. METHOD. Rasch analysis was used to generate three data collection forms for constructs on the DASH (gross motor, fine motor, and symptoms; N = 960). A form was completed to represent the findings from 1 study participant. Admission and discharge data were illustrated for one of the three sections (gross motor activity). Possible goals were indicated on the admission form. The discharge form illustrates whether these goals have been achieved. RESULTS. Figures illustrate the utility of the forms in observing functional change from admission to discharge and how the forms aid in goal setting. CONCLUSION. Use of the data collection form has many positive implications. This type of form could aid in goal setting and treatment planning.

OBJECTIVE. We report on item development and validity testing of a self-report older adult safe driving behaviors measure (SDBM). METHOD. On the basis of theoretical frameworks (Precede–Proceed Model of Health Promotion, Haddon’s matrix, and Michon’s model), existing driving measures, and previous research and guided by measurement theory, we developed items capturing safe driving behavior. Item development was further informed by focus groups. We established face validity using peer reviewers and content validity using expert raters. RESULTS. Peer review indicated acceptable face validity. Initial expert rater review yielded a scale content validity index (CVI) rating of 0.78, with 44 of 60 items rated ≥0.75. Sixteen unacceptable items (≤0.5) required major revision or deletion. The next CVI scale average was 0.84, indicating acceptable content validity. CONCLUSION. The SDBM has relevance as a self-report to rate older drivers. Future pilot testing of the SDBM comparing results with on-road testing will define criterion validity.

Objectives. The study described in this article examined the effect of home versus clinic settings on the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) performance of older adults. Method. Twenty older adults living in the community were evaluated in their homes and in an occupational therapy clinic with the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). The motor and process ability measures were compared between the two settings with many-faceted Rasch analysis. Results. The subjects’ motor ability measures tended to remain stable from clinic to home settings. The process ability measures tended not to remain stable from Clinic to home settings, because 10 of the 20 subjects performed significantly better in their homes. Conclusion. These findings support the idea that process skill abilities are affected by the environment to a greater degree than are motor skill abilities and that for persons living in the community, the familiar home environment tends to support IADL performance. If an occupational therapist wants to know how a person performs IADLs, the therapist should evaluate that person’s performance in the environment in which the client will be functioning.

A standardized activities of daily living evaluation that has acceptable psychometric qualities, can relate discrete component skills to functional performance, includes culture-relevant test items, is standardized on culture-specific samples, and is free of culture bias is needed to evaluate diverse cultural populations. The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) (Fisher, 1990a) offers a unique solution. The AMPS consists of 35 motor and process skill items assumed to represent two universal taxonomies that are free of cultural bias. The study described in this paper focused on the 20 process skill items of the AMPS process skills scale. To test the hypothesis that the AMPS process skills scale is suitable for cross-cultural applications. a translation of the AMPS was calibrated on a group of 20 Taiwanese subjects. The validity and reliability of the AMPS process skills scale were examined when applied to this sample. Examination of reliability included the extent to which rater scoring remained stable over time. The results revealed that the AMPS process skills scale has high intrarater reliability and is valid when applied to young nondisabled Taiwanese subjects. The results suggested that the AMPS could be applied to Taiwanese samples. However, further investigation is needed to determine whether Taiwanese activities can be calibrated onto the same scale as North American activities to make a single cross-cultural AMPS.