Applicability and clinical utility of the German rivermead post-concussion symptoms questionnaire in proxies of children after traumatic brain injury: an instrument validation study
Fabian Bockhop,
Sven Greving,
Marina Zeldovich,
Ugne Krenz,
Katrin Cunitz,
Dagmar Timmermann,
Matthias Kieslich,
Nada Andelic,
Anna Buchheim,
Inga K. Koerte,
Maike Roediger,
Knut Brockmann,
Michaela V. Bonfert,
Steffen Berweck,
Michael Lendt,
Michael Staebler,
Nicole von Steinbuechel
Affiliations
Fabian Bockhop
University Medical Center Göttingen
Sven Greving
University Medical Center Göttingen
Marina Zeldovich
Institute of Psychology, University Innsbruck
Ugne Krenz
University Medical Center Göttingen
Katrin Cunitz
Institute of Psychology, University Innsbruck
Dagmar Timmermann
University Medical Center Göttingen
Matthias Kieslich
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main
Nada Andelic
Research Centre for Habilitation and Rehabilitation Models and Services (CHARM), Department of Health and Society, University of Oslo
Anna Buchheim
Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Sport Science, University of Innsbruck
Inga K. Koerte
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig‑Maximilians‑Universität München
Maike Roediger
Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine and Neonatology, University Hospital Münster
Knut Brockmann
Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen
Michaela V. Bonfert
Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, LMU Center for Development and Children With Medical Complexity, Ludwig‑Maximilians‑Universität München
Steffen Berweck
Specialist Center for Paediatric Neurology, Neurorehabilitation and Epileptology, Schoen Klinik
Michael Lendt
Neuropediatrics, St. Mauritius Therapeutic Clinic
Michael Staebler
Neurological Rehabilitation Center for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults, Hegau-Jugendwerk GmbH
Abstract Background The German Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) can be used to assess post-concussion symptoms (PCS) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adults, adolescents, and children. Methods In this study, we examined the psychometric properties of the German RPQ proxy version (N = 146) for children (8—12 years) after TBI at the item, total and scale score level. Construct validity was analyzed using rank correlations with the proxy-assessed Post-Concussion Symptoms Inventory (PCSI-P), the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 (GAD-7). Furthermore, sensitivity testing was performed concerning subjects’ sociodemographic and injury-related characteristics. Differential item functioning (DIF) was analyzed to assess the comparability of RPQ proxy ratings for children with those for adolescents. Results Good internal consistency was demonstrated regarding Cronbach’s α (0.81—0.90) and McDonald’s ω (0.84—0.92). The factorial validity of a three-factor model was superior to the original one-factor model. Proxy ratings of the RPQ total and scale scores were strongly correlated with the PCSI-P (ϱ = 0.50—0.69), as well as moderately to strongly correlated with the PHQ-9 (ϱ = 0.49—0.65) and the GAD-7 (ϱ = 0.44—0.64). The DIF analysis revealed no relevant differences between the child and adolescent proxy versions. Conclusions The German RPQ proxy is a psychometrically reliable and valid instrument for assessing PCS in children after TBI. Therefore, RPQ self- and proxy-ratings can be used to assess PCS in childhood as well as along the lifespan of an individual after TBI.
