Abstract
Background/Aims: Equine assisted therapy (EAT) fights against the pressure of being unscientific due to lack of standardization and international comparability. The international EQUITEDO collaboration-project aims to contribute to a standardized documentation and valid scientific evaluation of EAT findings, by translating and validating a German language ICF-based assessment-tool for the measurement of effects of equine-assisted interventions based on the common language of the WHO into the English and Spanish languages.
Methods: The instrument was developed using a mixed methods approach while its psychometric properties in terms of validity and reliability were analyzed on the basis of two samples (N=116, N=265). The assessment tool was subsequently translated into English and Spanish according to the TRAPD guidelines (Harkness, 2003) and respectively linked to the English and Spanish versions of the ICF. Currently, the assessment tool is being piloted in Spanish- and English-speaking therapeutic practice and will afterwards be assessed and validated in terms of its psychometric properties.
Results: Procedures to test the validity, objectivity and reliability of the German language assessment-tool have shown satisfactory values and confirm the suitability of applying the ICF classification to the holistic aims of EAT. The first results of the international validations are expected in autumn 2022 and can be presented at the congress.
Conclusions: The research approach has proven to be a valid method to develop internationally compatible assessments on the common international basis of the ICF of the WHO, which makes data material from different language countries comparable. Prospectively, the instrument will contribute to creating increased transparency about therapy effects and effectiveness factors for cost bearers as well as clients and service providers.
Methods: The instrument was developed using a mixed methods approach while its psychometric properties in terms of validity and reliability were analyzed on the basis of two samples (N=116, N=265). The assessment tool was subsequently translated into English and Spanish according to the TRAPD guidelines (Harkness, 2003) and respectively linked to the English and Spanish versions of the ICF. Currently, the assessment tool is being piloted in Spanish- and English-speaking therapeutic practice and will afterwards be assessed and validated in terms of its psychometric properties.
Results: Procedures to test the validity, objectivity and reliability of the German language assessment-tool have shown satisfactory values and confirm the suitability of applying the ICF classification to the holistic aims of EAT. The first results of the international validations are expected in autumn 2022 and can be presented at the congress.
Conclusions: The research approach has proven to be a valid method to develop internationally compatible assessments on the common international basis of the ICF of the WHO, which makes data material from different language countries comparable. Prospectively, the instrument will contribute to creating increased transparency about therapy effects and effectiveness factors for cost bearers as well as clients and service providers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 6th World Congress on Physiotherapy, Physical Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication date | 28.11.2022 |
| Pages | 20 |
| Publication status | Published - 28.11.2022 |