A new motor screening assessment for children at risk for motor disorders: construct validity

Author(s)

Martins Okuda, Paola Matiko ; Pangelinan, Melissa ; Chiorri, Carlo ; Capellini, Simone Aparecida ; Cogo-Moreira, Hugo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria; v. 76, n. 2, p. 9-pg., 2018-02-01.

Abstract

Objective: To develop a motor screening assessment and provide preliminary evidence of its psychometric properties. Methods: A sample of 365 elementary school students was assessed, with structural equation modeling applied to obtain evidence of the adequacy of the factor structure of the motor screening assessment. As well, differential item functioning was used to evaluate whether various identifiable subgroups of children (i.e., sex and grade) perform particular tasks differently. Results: Overall, girls obtained higher scores than boys while, for both sexes, the assessment scores increased with age. Furthermore, differential item function analysis revealed that the precision of the test was highest for those with moderate to low motor performance, suggesting that this tool would be appropriate for identifying individuals with movement difficulties. Conclusion: Although further tests of its psychometric properties are required, the motor screening assessment appears to be a reliable, valid, and quickly-administered tool for screening children's movements. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/04619-0 - Psychometric analysis of two motor assessment tests Movement Assessment Batery for children, second edition - MABC-2 and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency: applying factorial analysis, latent class and hybrids (mixture) models
• Grantee: Paola Matiko Martins Okuda
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate