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The Theory of Mind Inventory-2 (ToMI-2) is a promising measure for assessing theory of mind (ToM) and social-related functions. However, limited evidence on its factorial validity hampers score interpretation. To examine the factorial validity, confirmatory factor analysis for two currently-available structures was performed in 420 typically developing children aged three to seven years. One, the development-based structure, contains three stages of ToM development: the early, basic, and advanced ToM stages. The other, the social-related structure, comprises three social-related ToM functions: emotion recognition, mental state term comprehension, and pragmatics. The results showed that these structures and the unidimensionality of each domain were not supported even after modifications. Thus, further revisions and examinations of the underlying structures of the ToMI-2 are needed.

Patients with schizophrenia tend to have deficits in emotion recognition (ER) that affect their social function. However, the commonly-used ER measures appear incomprehensive, unreliable and invalid, making it difficult to comprehensively evaluate ER. The purposes of this study were to develop the Computerized Emotion Recognition Video Test (CERVT) evaluating ER ability in patients with schizophrenia. This study was divided into two phases. First, we selected candidate CERVT items/videos of 8 basic emotion domains from a published database. Second, we validated the selected CERVT items using Rasch analysis. Finally, the 269 patients and 177 healthy adults were recruited to ensure the participants had diverse abilities. After the removal of 21 misfit (infit or outfit mean square > 1.4) items and adjustment of the item difficulties of the 26 items with severe differential item functioning, the remaining 217 items were finalized as the CERVT items. All the CERVT items showed good model fits with small eigenvalues (≤ 2) based on the residual-based principal components analysis for each domain, supporting the unidimensionality of these items. The 8 domains of the CERVT had good to excellent reliabilities (average Rasch reliabilities = 0.84–0.93). The CERVT contains items of the 8 basic emotions with individualized scores. Moreover, the CERVT showed acceptable reliability and validity, and the scores were not affected by examinees' gender. Thus, the CERVT has the potential to provide a comprehensive, reliable, valid, and gender-unbiased assessment of ER for patients with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Patients' perception of overall recovery is a critical outcome for stroke rehabilitation. However, the perception of overall recovery cannot be obtained using multidimensional measures, because satisfaction in most domains of life does not guarantee satisfaction in overall recovery. A single overall recovery score seems a straightforward measure. However, the clinical implications of overall scores are restricted, because factors affecting patients' overall recovery are unclear, which can be prioritized to optimize the effectiveness of rehabilitation. Objective: To examine patient-reported variables affecting overall recovery scores in patients with differing stroke severity. Design: The 59 items of the Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 were selected using regression analysis with a forward selection to explain the overall recovery score (0% = no recovery; 100% = full recovery). Stroke severity was determined with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Setting: Hospitals. Participants: Data of 950 patients collected 90 days after stroke. Results: The models explained about 55% of the variance of the overall recovery scores with five to nine variables, but merely 16% of the variance was explained for patients with moderate stroke. As stroke severity increased, the number of identified variables decreased. Most identified variables were related to social participation and self-care activities (e.g. ability to help others, control the bowels, and dress the torso). Differences in the remaining variables depended on stroke severity. Conclusions and Relevance: Patients' priorities differ depending on stroke severity. The identified variables may be set as treatment goals to optimize patients' self-perceived overall recovery. Plain-Language Summary: How patients perceive their overall recovery after a stroke is a critical outcome for their stroke rehabilitation. This study demonstrated that patients with different stroke severity may have different priorities that influence their self-perceived levels of overall recovery. The variables identified in this study may help occupational therapy practitioners identify meaningful goals to optimize patients' self-perceived overall recovery. This study found that patients with different stroke severity may have different priorities that influence their self-perceived levels of overall recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Coloring is popular with preschool children and reveals their developmental state. However, interpreting coloring performances is challenging because descriptive and subjective evaluations are commonly used with large variations. Objective: To develop a scoring method to objectively quantify children's coloring skills. Design: Colored blank train templates were analyzed using four indicators (entropy, complexity, coloring outside the lines, and unexpected blank areas) to form a summed score. Setting: Kindergarten in a urban city (Tainan, Taiwan). Participants: Two hundred thirty-nine typically developing children ages 3 to 6 yr. Outcome and Measures: A newly developed method to assess coloring skill on the basis of a colored picture of a train. Results: The summed score exhibited good internal consistency (Cronbach's α =.80), discriminative validity (p =.04), convergent validity (rs =.66 and.59 with age and visual–motor integration), and acceptable factorial validity (comparative fit index =.99, standardized root-mean-square residual =.04, and root-mean-square error of approximation =.13). Moreover, three coloring patterns (mature, transitional, and immature) were identified. Conclusions and Relevance: The new method provides objective, reliable, and valid scores representing coloring skills in typically developing children. In addition, the coloring patterns can be recognized. This method can be used to facilitate comparisons of children's coloring skills with peers and provide valuable insight into children's development. Plain-Language Summary: This study proposes a new method to objectively quantify children's coloring skills with sound reliability and validity in typically developing children. The method can be used to evaluate children's coloring skills and patterns to shed light on their developmental stages. This study proposes a method to facilitate comparisons of children's coloring skills with peers that can provide valuable insights into children's development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: The machine learning–based Stroke Impact Scale (ML–SIS) is an efficient short-form measure that uses 28 items to provide domain scores comparable to those of the original 59-item Stroke Impact Scale–Third Edition (SIS 3.0). However, its utility is largely unknown because it has not been cross-validated with an independent sample. Objective: To examine the ML–SIS's comparability and test–retest reliability with that of the original SIS 3.0 in an independent sample of people with stroke. Design: Comparability was examined with the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error, and root-mean-square error (RMSE). Test–retest reliability was examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Setting: Five hospitals in Taiwan. Participants: Data of 263 persons with stroke were extracted from a previous study; 144 completed repeated assessments after a 2-wk interval. Results: High R2 (.87–.95) and low mean absolute error or RMSE (about 2.4 and 3.3) of the domain scores, except for the Emotion scores (R2 =.08), supported the comparability of the two measures. Similar ICC values (.39–.87 vs..46–.87) were found between the two measures, suggesting that the ML–SIS is as reliable as the SIS 3.0. Conclusions and Relevance: The ML–SIS provides scores mostly identical to those of the original measure, with similar test–retest reliability, except for the Emotion domain. Thus, it is a promising alternative that can be used to lessen the burden of routine assessments and provide scores comparable to those of the original SIS 3.0. Plain-Language Summary: The machine learning–based Stroke Impact Scale (ML–SIS) is as reliable as the original Stroke Impact Scale–Third Edition, except for the Emotion domain. Thus, the ML–SIS can be used to improve the efficiency of clinical assessments and also relieve the burden on people with stroke who are completing the assessments. This study examined the comparability and test–retest reliability of the machine learning–based Stroke Impact Scale with that of the original Stroke Impact Scale–Third Edition in an independent sample of people with stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidimensional theory of mind assessments should include items assessing both explicit theory of mind (theory of mind knowledge) and applied theory of mind (application of theory of mind knowledge in real-life contexts). However, the two theory of mind scores cannot be interpreted collectively to identify children having mismatched explicit and applied theory of mind due to the lack of links between the two scores. To map the information between two theory of mind scores, data of 221 autistic children aged 3–12 years were extracted. Items of the Theory of Mind Task Battery and Theory of Mind Inventory-2 were used to respectively assess the explicit and applied theory of mind. Rasch analysis and correlation coefficients were used to examine the model fits/dimensionality and relationships. After the removal of misfit items, the remaining 45 items showed satisfactory model fits (infit and outfit mean squares < 1.35). Large correlation (r = 0.63) was found between the Rasch scores of the two theory of mind constructs. The scatter plots highlighted that each applied theory of mind score could reflect multiple explicit ToM scores. Accordingly, the information from each theory of mind measure is unique and irreplaceable. Moreover, cutoff scores for identifying children with mismatched explicit and applied theory of mind were proposed to determine the priority of interventions. Theory of mind is an ability to infer others' mental states, which is a foundation for generating appropriate social responses. Theory of mind can be conceptually divided into two related but distinguishable constructs: explicit theory of mind (conceptual knowledge/information about others' mental states) and applied theory of mind (the ability to use theory of mind skills in real-life contexts). Although these two theory of mind scores can be described by the percentages of children in the early, basic, and advanced developmental stages, the resulting information may not be sufficient to determine the corresponding relationships between these two theory of mind constructs or identify children with mismatched theory of mind abilities (e.g. children who have difficulty in effectively applying their theory of mind knowledge in real-life contexts). To resolve these limitations, methods for simultaneously interpreting the relationships between the two theory of mind scores are proposed. Based on the findings, each applied theory of mind score can reflect multiple scores of explicit theory of mind. In particular, the results do not take measurement error into consideration, which would make them more ambiguous. Therefore, the scores of applied theory of mind should be interpreted carefully, given that children who have the same applied theory of mind score may actually have high or low explicit theory of mind. Regarding the method for joint interpretation, cutoff scores were selected to identify children who have mismatched theory of mind abilities (high explicit theory of mind with low applied theory of mind or low explicit theory of mind with high applied theory of mind) and determine the priority for interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the reducing rate of manganese oxides (MnOs) and organic matter in water by using pre-oxidation and coagulation/sedimentation methods with different chemicals. The reduction rate using NaOCl for organic matter was about 11%, while that of manganese was 12%. The reduction rate using chlorine dioxide (ClO2) was only 7% for organic matter. However, the rate of manganese was 29% when using ClO2. Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) removed organic matter and MnOs more effectively, with a rate of 18 and 71%. Moreover, aluminum sulfate (Al2(SO4)3), ferric chloride (FeCl3), and polysilicate iron (PSI) worked more effectively, with a reduction rate of 99% and 55% for turbidity and organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the unidimensionality and Rasch reliability of both Jenkinson's and MacIsaac's eight-item short versions of the Stroke Impact Scale (SF-SIS), a questionnaire for assessing overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study was a secondary data analysis in which 263 persons with stroke completed the SIS. The 263 persons, on average, had age of 60 years, mild stroke, and moderate disability of self-care. The unidimensionality of both versions was validated via testing of model fitting and principal component analysis (PCA) of residuals using the Rasch analysis to determine the Rasch reliability and measures. The eight items in both SF-SIS versions met the criteria of infit and outfit MNSQ (<1.4 and >0.6), indicating good data-model fit. The PCA showed that no dominant factors existed in the residuals of the items. The person reliability of Jenkinson's and MacIsaac's SF-SIS versions was 0.80 and 0.79, respectively. The Rasch measures (i.e., person measure in logits) ranged from −1.06 to 1.87 in Jenkinson's SF-SIS and −0.82 to 1.88 in MacIsaac's version. The unidimensionality of both versions was supported. The Rasch measures of both appear valid for representing overall HRQOL levels. Both versions also showed acceptable reliability for research purposes. The unidimensionality was justified for both versions (Jenkinson's and MacIsaac's eight-item short-versions of Stroke Impact Scale). The Rasch scores of both versions appear valid for representing overall health-related quality of life. Both versions showed acceptable reliability for research purposes, but not sufficiently reliable for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the psychometric properties of the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire (MMQ) in older adults with subjective memory complaints. The three MMQ subscale (Satisfaction, Ability, and Strategy) was administered twice, with a 3-month interval. The test - retest reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The random measurement error was examined by calculating the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC95). The test - retest reliabilities of the three MMQ subscales were generally acceptable. The SEM of the three MMQ subscales was higher than the acceptable criterion of 10%. Despite the influence of random measurement error, the change scores of the three MMQ subscales may represent true changes if they are larger than the MDC95 of 13.2 (Satisfaction), 18.4 (Ability), and 16.9 (Strategy). The MMQ appears to be a reliable measure for use in research settings, but may not yet be suitable for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is frequently used in routine clinical care and research settings and has good psychometric properties. This study was conducted to develop a short form of the BBS using a machine learning approach (BBS-ML). Methods: Data of 408 individuals poststroke were extracted from a published database. The initial (ie, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-item) versions were constructed by selecting top-ranked items based on the feature selection algorithm in the artificial neural network model. The final version of the BBS-ML was chosen by selecting the short form that used a smaller number of items to achieve a higher predictive power R 2, a lower 95% limit of agreement (LoA), and an adequate possible scoring point (PSP). An independent sample of 226 persons with stroke was used for external validation. Results: The R 2 values for the initial 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-item short forms were 0.93, 0.95, 0.97, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively. The 95% LoAs were 14.2, 12.2, 9.7, 9.6, and 8.9, respectively. The PSPs were 25, 35, 34, 35, and 36, respectively. The 6-item version was selected as the final BBS-ML. Preliminary external validation supported its performance in an independent sample of persons with stroke (R 2 = 0.99, LoA = 10.6, PSP = 37). Discussion and Conclusions: The BBS-ML seems to be a promising short-form alternative to improve administrative efficiency. Future research is needed to examine the psychometric properties and clinical usage of the 6-item BBS-ML in various settings and samples. Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see the Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A402). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]