Comparing the psychometric properties of the pediatric outcomes data collection instrument and the activities scales for kids: a review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to review and evaluate the psychometric properties of two general musculoskeletal outcome measures focusing on pediatric physical disability, namely, the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) and the Activities Scales for Kids (ASK). Although this review reveals the psychometric superiority of ASK to PODCI, further research should confirm the psychometric properties of both the instruments. A number of psychometric issues need to be further addressed. Specifically, future studies should examine additional types of reliability and validity, for example, content, construct, criterion, and discriminant with more sophisticated statistical analyses, for example, Aiken's item content validity coefficient and confirmatory factor analysis. Until these issues are addressed, researchers should be cautious utilizing these instruments in children with musculoskeletal problems in a clinical setting.

Keywords: ASK; Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI); children; reliability; responsiveness; validity.