Interrater reliability of Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) score interpretation.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined interrater reliability of score interpretation on the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT).

METHOD

Using SIPT scores of two complex cases, 20 trained participants independently rated each case for presence of sensory integrative dysfunction and for relevance of specific patterns of dysfunction. They also provided comments to justify their ratings.

RESULTS

Agreement on the presence of sensory integrative dysfunction was 70% for Case A and 100% for Case B. Reliability was more variable for dysfunctional pattern ratings, ranging from 50% to 100% agreement for Cases A and B, respectively. Participants consistently appeared to use configural decision-making strategies to guide their ratings.

CONCLUSION

Interrater reliability was moderate to high for interpretation of the presence of sensory integrative dysfunction using SIPT scores. Less agreement was apparent regarding specific patterns of dysfunction. Results suggest that additional clinical information, such as clinical observations and case history, may be needed to make reliable distinctions among dysfunctional patterns.