Test-retest reliability of the Capute scales for neurodevelopmental screening of a high risk sample: Impact of test-retest interval and degree of neonatal risk
Affiliations: [a] Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology, Philadelphia, PA, USA | [b] Kennedy Krieger Institute, Department of Neuropsychology, Baltimore, MD, USA | [c] Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Baltimore, MD, USA | [d] Kennedy Krieger Institute, Division of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Alison Pritchard, PhD, Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute; 1750 E. Fairmount Avenue; Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. Tel.: +1 443 923 4409; Fax: +1 443 923 4425; pritchard@kennedykrieger.org
Abstract:
AIM: Reliable and valid screening and assessment tools are necessary to identify children at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities who may require additional services. This study evaluated the test-retest reliability of the Capute Scales in a high-risk sample, hypothesizing adequate reliability across 6- and 12-month intervals.
METHODS: Capute Scales scores (N = 66) were collected via retrospective chart review from a NICU follow-up clinic within a large urban medical center spanning three age-ranges: 12–18, 19–24, and 25–36 months. On average, participants were classified as very low birth weight and premature. Reliability of the Capute Scales was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients across length of test-retest interval, age at testing, and degree of neonatal complications.
RESULTS: The Capute Scales demonstrated high reliability, regardless of length of test-retest interval (ranging from 6 to 14 months) or age of participant, for all index scores, including overall Developmental Quotient (DQ), language-based skill index (CLAMS) and nonverbal reasoning index (CAT). Linear regressions revealed that greater neonatal risk was related to poorer test-retest reliability; however, reliability coefficients remained strong.
CONCLUSIONS: The Capute Scales afford clinicians a reliable and valid means of screening and assessing for neurodevelopmental delay within high-risk infant populations.
