Psychometrics of neurological soft signs

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1996 Apr;35(4):509-15. doi: 10.1097/00004583-199604000-00017.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the psychometrics of neurological soft signs in young children.

Method: In a sample of 42 children from the community, two examiners simultaneously rated soft signs using a standardized examination. A subsample (n = 33) was reexamined twice over the next week to estimate test-retest reliability.

Results: Total score exhibited acceptable internal consistency as well as interrater and test-retest reliability. Psychometrics for individual items appeared less satisfactory than for the total score.

Discussion: Although examiners can reliably rate a variety of soft signs, more research examining test-retest reliability is needed. A reliable examination might be useful in future efforts to document the neuropsychiatric correlates of soft signs.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurologic Examination*
  • Observer Variation
  • Psychometrics*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Reproducibility of Results