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Research Article
Issue Date: November/December 1994
Published Online: November 01, 1994
Updated: April 30, 2020
Interrater Reliability of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales: Fine Motor Scale
Ann R. Gebhard; Kenneth J. Ottenbacher; Shelly J. Lane
Author Affiliations
  • Ann R. Gebhard, MS, OTR, is Staff Occupational Therapist, Mary Cariola Children’s Center, Rochester, New York. (Mailing address: 126 Hillcrest Street, Rochester, New York 14609)
  • Kenneth J. Ottenbacher, PhD, is Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Department of Occupational Therapy, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
  • Shelly J. Lane, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
Article Information
Pediatric Evaluation and Intervention / AOTA Archival Issue / Research
Research Article   |   November 01, 1994
Interrater Reliability of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales: Fine Motor Scale
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, November/December 1994, Vol. 48, 976-981. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.48.11.976
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, November/December 1994, Vol. 48, 976-981. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.48.11.976
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Abstract

Objective. The interrater reliability of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS) fine motor scale was examined in 23 children with developmental disabilities who were between 2 years and 5 years of age.

Method. Three occupational therapists viewed videotapes of the children and scored each child’s performance on the fine motor section of the test. Data were analyzed with the intraclass correlation (ICC) approach; ICC values ranged from 0.90 to 0.97 for the subskills of Grasping, Hand Use, Eye–Hand Coordination, and Manual Dexterity.

Results. The ICC interrater reliability value for the total fine motor score was 0.99. Reliability values were additionally computed with the PDMS fine motor scale age-equivalent scores and Z scores. The ICC values for these methods of scoring the PDMS were 0.99 and 1.00, respectively.

Conclusion. The PDMS fine motor scale can be used consistently to evaluate fine motor delays in this population of young children.