Intrarater and Interrater Reliability for Measurements in Videofluoroscopy of Swallowing
European Journal of Radiology
Baijens, L., Barikroo, A., et al. (2013).
European Journal of Radiology, 82(10), 1683-1695.
This systematic review investigates the intrarater and interrater reliability of instrumental assessment of dysphagia using videofluoroscopy in symptomatic and asymptomatic adults.
Not stated
Through March 2013
Peer-reviewed studies (not further specified)
19
The authors found that overall, intrarater reliability--the degree of agreement for multiple repetitions of videofluoroscopy measures by a single rater--was better than interrater reliability--the degree of agreement between raters on ordinal visuoperceptual variables (e.g., Pharyngeal Residue Severity Scale, Penetration Aspiration Scale). Included studies varied on a number of reliability measurements (e.g., method of measurement, presence or absence of pre-experimental training of raters, applied bolus consistency) and had a number of methodological concerns (e.g., randomization of swallows, representative sample, stable rater or subject characteristics). The authors conclude that in order to achieve inter- and intrarater reliability of videofluoroscopy, raters must use well-defined guidelines for assessing swallowing function using ordinal visuoperceptual measures and protocoled pre-experimental training.
