Item Bank Development for a Revised Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI)

Helene Dumasa*, Maria Fragala-Pinkhama, Stephen Haleyb, Wendy Costerc, Jessica Kramerd, Ying-Chia Kaod & Richard Moedea Helene Dumas, MS, PT, and Maria Fragala-Pinkham MS, PT are affiliated with Franciscan Hospital for Children, Research Center, Boston, Massachusetts.b Stephen Haley, PhD, PT, FAPTA, is affiliated with Boston University School of Public Health, Health & Disability Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.c Wendy Coster, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is affiliated with Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy and Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Boston, Massachusetts.d Jessica Kramer, PhD, OTR/L, and Ying-Chia Kao, MA, OTR, are affiliated with Boston Univeristy Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston, Massachusetts.e Richard Moed, is affiliated with CREcare LLC, Newburyport, Massachusetts.Address correspondence to: Helene Dumas, MS, PT, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Research Center, 30 Warren Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02135, USA (E-mail: hdumas@fhfc.org).ABSTRACTThe Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) is a useful clinical and research assessment, but it has limitations in content, age range, and efficiency. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of the item bank for a new computer adaptive testing version of the PEDI (PEDI-CAT). An expanded item set and response options were reviewed by clinician experts and examined at parent and clinician focus groups. Eleven parents participated in 32 cognitive interviews to examine content, format, and comprehension of items and responses. A set of 76 self-care, 78 mobility, and 64 social function items with pictures and a four-point “Difficulty” scale were developed. The PEDI's Caregiver Assistance scale was replaced by a “Responsibility Scale” with 53 items. Content validity was established incorporating input from clinicians and parents. The new item bank covers a broad range of functional activities for children of all ages and abilities.