Test-retest and inter- and intrareliability of the quality of the upper-extremity skills test in preschool-age children with cerebral palsy

Objective: To investigate the test-retest, inter-, and intraobserver reliability of the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) in young children with cerebral palsy (CP). Design: For test-retest reliability, a test-retest design was used; for the intra- and interobserver reliability, the videotaped test was scored on 2 occasions by 1 observer and by various observers. Setting: Groups of preschool-age children in 2 general rehabilitation centers. Participants: Twenty-one children with CP (12 boys, 9 girls) aged 2 to 4.5 years (mean, 39mo). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure: Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The data indicated that test-retest reliability was strong (rho range,.85-.94). Intraobserver agreement (rho range,.63-.95) and agreement between various observers (rho range,.72-.90) were moderate to strong. Conclusions: Test-retest and inter- and intraobserver reliability of the QUEST in preschool-age children with CP is good.