Showing papers on "Intra-rater reliability published in 1999"

Reliability Engineering: Theory and Practice

Abstract: Basic Concepts, Quality and Reliability Assurance of Complex Equipment & Systems.- Reliability Analysis During the Design Phase.- Qualification Tests for Components and Assemblies.- Maintainability Analysis.- Design Guidelines for Reliability, Maintainability, and Software Quality.- Reliability and Availability of Repairable Systems.- Statistical Quality Control and Reliability Tests.- Quality & Reliability Assurance During the Production Phase.

Reliability and responsiveness of the Barry-Albright Dystonia Scale.

Abstract: The reliability and responsiveness of the Barry-Albright Dystonia (BAD) Scale, a 5-point ordinal severity scale for secondary dystonia, was assessed. For interrater reliability, 13 raters scored 10 videotaped patients; for intrarater reliability, two raters rated the videotape again. For test-retest reliability, patients were rated on two occasions. Four inexperienced raters scored patients, received training, then scored additional patients. To assess responsiveness, we compared patient and physician global ratings of change (better, same, and worse) with BAD Scale score changes for 18 patients on intrathecal baclofen (ITB) trials. We assessed reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The mean ICC for total BAD Scale scores were as follows: interrater reliability 0.866, intrarater reliability 0.967 and 0.978, test-retest reliability 0.978 (before training) and 0.967 (after training). We found the BAD Scale responsive to change, with most improved scores in patients rated by the patient, family, and neurosurgeon as 'better'. The total scores were reliable for experienced raters. We recommend training for clinicians interested in using the scale.

Intrarater reliability of selected clinical outcome measures following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Abstract: Study Design Single group repeated measures following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intrarater reliability of selected clinical outcome measures in patients having ACL reconstruction. Background Several investigations have reported the reliability of isokinetic testing and knee ligament arthrometry. Fewer studies have examined the reliability of lower extremity functional tests, with most of these studies evaluating normal subjects. Methods and Measures Fifteen physically active males with unilateral ACL-reconstructed knees were evaluated with the KT-1000, Biodex isokinetic dynamometer, and 3 functional hop tests on 5 occasions. Results Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) revealed good to high intrarater reliability (ICC \s>0.80) of the functional hop tests and isokinetic peak torque values. ICCs were higher for the involved limb than the uninvolved limb using the scores from the KT-1000 Manual Maximum Test. Conclusion The o...

Reliability of water volumetry and the figure of eight method on subjects with ankle joint swelling.

Abstract: Study Design Single-group repeated measures with 2 raters. Objectives To determine the interrater and intrarater reliability of water volumetry and the figure of eight method on subjects with ankle joint swelling. Background Measurements of ankle swelling are commonly performed to determine the nature and stage of injury and to monitor progress made during rehabilitation. Water volumetry and the figure of eight method are 2 techniques used to measure ankle swelling. Methods and Measures Twenty-nine subjects with ankle swelling were measured by 2 raters with the hypothesis that both measurement techniques would be reliable. Each rater performed 3 measurements of the swollen ankle using both measurement techniques during a single test session. The order of the rater and of the measurement technique was randomized, and the raters were blinded to each other's measurements. Results We found high interrater reliability for both the water volumetry (ICC [intraclass correlation coefficient] = 0.99) and figure of ...

Clinical rating of dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease: Use and reliability of a new rating scale

Abstract: Drug-induced dyskinesias (DID) manifested as hyperkinetic and/or dystonic movements or postures are common problems in Parkinson's disease (PD). Novel therapeutic interventions may offer possibilities to counteract these common adverse effects of an otherwise necessary treatment. To be able to evaluate the effects of such interventions on DID, reliable and relevant clinical assessment tools are needed. We tested the inter- and intrarater reliability of a new clinical dyskinesia rating scale consisting of separate ratings of different body parts, including lateralization and separate ratings of dystonia and hyperkinesias. Interrater reliability was tested both with and without a defined scoring code and clarification of the dystonia section. The nondefined version was also tested for intrarater reliability. Thirteen raters independently reviewed 23 videotape sequences showing PD patients performing standardized motor tests. Inter- and intrarater agreement was significant in all evaluations, and no differences were detected when comparing ratings performed with the defined and nondefined version of the scale. The rationale for, and the role and use of, the present scale are addressed.

Tests of functional limitations in fibromyalgia syndrome: A reliability study

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the reliability and discriminative ability of a test battery consisting of 7 tests designed for the assessment of functional limitations in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Methods The intrarater reliability of the test battery was evaluated for 15 women with FMS. Interrater reliability was calculated on 4 tests separately. Fifteen healthy women constituted a reference group. Results The intrarater coefficient of variation was <8% for the shoulder range of motion tests, chair test, and 6-minute walk test, and <21% for the shoulder endurance test, with correlation coefficients above 0.80 for all tests. Kappa was 0.70–0.80 for the hand-to-scapula tests. The interrater coefficient of variation was <5% for shoulder range of motion. The performances of the FMS patients were significantly decreased in comparison with healthy subjects in all the tests except for the hand-to-scapula movement. Conclusions All but 1 of the selected 7 tests were considered to possess acceptable intrarater reliability for use in FMS in clinical physical therapy practice.

Reliability of independent observer judgments of level of lift effort in a kinesiophysical Functional Capacity Evaluation.

Abstract: Functional Capacity Evaluation includes manual materials handling as a primary component. Return to work decisions are often made or influenced by both the heaviest amount of weight that can be safely lifted and the weight that can be handled repetitiously. Kinesiophysical observational criteria were developed to allow trained judges to categorize lifting in order to identify the category of lift effort. Bothinter rater and intrarater reliability were high. When light or heavy categories were isolated for accuracy there were no errors in judge's ratings.

GA-based reliability design: state-of-the-art survey

Abstract: As systems have grown more complex, the consequences of their unreliable behavior have become sever in terms of cost, lives, etc. , and the interest in assessing system reliability and the need for improving the reliability of products and systems have become very important. In the past few decades, the field of reliability has grown sufficiently large to include separate specialized subtopics, such as reliability analysis, failure modeling, reliability optimization, reliability growth and its modeling, reliability testing, reliability data analysis, accelerated testing, and life cycle costing. In this paper, we introduce about some GA-based approaches for these reliability design problems, such as GA-based reliability design of redundant system, GA-based reliability design with alternative design, GA-based reliability design with time-dependent reliability, GA-based reliability design with interval coefficients, GA-based bicriteria reliability design, Hybrid GA-based bicriteria reliability design, and GA-based reliability design with fuzzy goals.

Reliability of Electronic Components: A Practical Guide to Electronic Systems Manufacturing

Abstract: Introduction State of the Art in Reliability Reliability of passive electronic parts Reliability of Diodes Reliability of Silicon Transistors Reliability of Thyristors Reliability of Integrated Circuits Reliability of Hybrids Reliability of Memories Reliability of Optoelectronics Noise and Reliability Plastic Package and Reliability Test and Testability of Logic ICs Failure Analysis Appendix.

Test-Retest, Interrater, and Intrarater Reliability, and Construct Validity of the Handwriting Speed Test in Year 3 and Year 6 Students

Abstract: The Handwriting Speed Test (HST) is a standardized, norm-referenced test of handwriting speed, which was developed to be part of a comprehensive handwriting evaluation of school students. This study examined test-retest, interrater, and intrarater reliability and construct validity of the HST in year 3 and year 6 students. Two hundred and twelve students from randomly selected schools in Sydney, Australia completed the HST twice at 4-week intervals. The intraclass correlation coefficients for the sample as a whole were high for interrater and intrarater reliability and good for test-retest reliability. Scores of students rated as fast or slow by their teachers were compared to examine the test's construct validity. Although HST scores were different for students rated fast and slow by teachers, consistency was less between classification of fast and slow by the HST normative data and teachers' ratings. Weaknesses in study design probably account for this finding and future research is needed to further ex...

Inter- and Intrarater Reliability of Retrospective Drug Utilization Reviewers

Abstract: Objective To assess inter- and intrarater reliability among 23 pharmacist and physician retrospective drug utilization reviewers and to assess interrater reliability after a reviewer training session. Design Exploratory study. Setting Maryland Medicaid's retrospective drug utilization review (DUR) program. Participants 23 physician and pharmacist retrospective drug utilization reviewers. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Profiles rated as “intervention indicated” or “intervention not indicated.” Cochran's Q test, overall percent agreement, and the unweighted kappa statistic were used in the analysis of review consistency. Results Intrarater reliability showed substantial consistency among the 23 reviewers; the percent agreement was 82.9% with κ = 0.66. Interrater reliability, however, was poor, with an overall agreement of 69.6% and κ = 0.16. Interrater reliability was also poor after a one-hour reviewer training session (agreement 81.8%, κ = −0.19). Conclusion The implicit review process used in the retrospective DUR program that we evaluated was unreliable. Since reliability is a necessary but not sufficient condition for validity of an indicator of inappropriate drug use, the validity of the DUR implicit review process is in question.

The Inter- and Intra-rater Reliability of the Functional Reach Test in Subjects With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract: In general, sitting balance is decreased in subjects with spinal cord injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the Functional Reach Test (FRT) which is used to measure sitting balance. The subjects of this study were 26 persons with spinal cord injury, and they were divided into three groups according to their injury level. Group I, II and III consisted of the following quadriplegics, , and paraplegics, respectively. Subjects sat on a mat table that was set at an 80 degree inclination. During three sessions, the length subjects could reach in the FRT test was measured by three physical therapists, and compared to each other. The results showed that intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1) were above 0.97 and inter-rater difference was not statistically significant. The one-way ANOVA demonstrated that reach differed between groups with lower thoracic lesion and the other test groups. In conclusion, we think modified FRT is useful and reliable method to measure the sitting balance in subjects with spinal cord injury.

Reliability Growth Concepts and Testing

Abstract: The sections in this article are 1 History of Reliability Growth 2 Reliability Growth Process 3 Monitoring and Projection 4 Effectiveness