The Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA): internal consistency (Q1 vs. Q2 and Q3 vs. Q4) in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The internal consistency of the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) was examined in a cohort of 6- to 12-year-old children (N = 63) strictly diagnosed with ADHD. The internal consistency of errors of omission (OMM), errors of commission (COM), response time (RT), and response time variability (RTV) of different test conditions (stimulus infrequent condition [Q1 vs. Q2] and stimulus frequent condition [Q3 vs. Q4]) was assessed via correlation analyses. All TOVA index scores under investigation assessing its internal consistency exhibited statistically significant correlations. All correlations fell in the moderate-high range.

Validity of the child health questionnaire for use in children with sickle cell disease.

OBJECTIVE: To provide accurate data on health-related quality of life (HRQL), there must be a valid tool to measure this outcome. The objective of this study was to determine the validity of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) as a measure of HRQL in sickle cell disease (SCD) by examining the relationship between HRQL and disease severity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of children conducted at two urban, hospital-based clinics. The study participants were children with SCD ages 5 to 18 years who presented for a routine visit to the comprehensive SCD clinic. The main outcome was HRQL, as measured by the CHQ-Parent Form 28 (PF28). A t test was used to compare HRQL between those with mild and severe disease. RESULTS: Parents/caretakers of 95 children completed the CHQ-PF28. Children with mild SCD had a significantly better HRQL, as evidenced by a higher mean physical summary score (39.1), than those with severe disease (28.0) (difference=11.1, 95% confidence interval 5.03-18.11). There was no significant difference in psychosocial summary scores between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The CHQ is a valid tool to assess HRQL in children with SCD and could serve as an important adjunct to determine the effect of SCD on the lives of children.