Reliability and validity analysis of the transfer assessment instrument

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Study investigated the safety, feasibility, validity, and the intrarater and interrater reliability of the Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI), a newly developed outcome measure to assess the quality of transfers performed by full-time wheelchair users. Testing was performed at the 2009 National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Spokane, Washington, and involved a convenience sample of 40 full-time wheelchair users who performed sitting pivot or standing pivot transfers. Four physical therapist rated each transfer; 3 used the TAI and one used a global rating scale, a visual analog (VAS) scale. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for reliability and Spearman correlation coefficients for concurrent validity between the TAI and the global assessment scale were calculated. No adverse events occurred during testing. Reliability and validity testing found the TAI to have acceptable interrater and a wide range of intrarater reliability. Intrarater ICCs for 3 raters ranged between .35 and .89, and the interrater ICC was .642. Correlations between the TAI and a global assessment VAS ranged between .19 and .69. Item analyses of the tool found a wide range of results, from weak to good reliability. Evaluators found the TAI to a safe, quick outcome measure that uses equipment typically found in a clinical setting and does not ask participants to perform new skills.

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