Inter- and intrarater reliability of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System in Sweden.

PURPOSE: To evaluate inter- and intrarater reliability, of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) for children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP) in Sweden.

METHODS

Four speech and language pathologists rated EDACS from videos of 30 individuals with CP, 3 to 62 years, (mean 21 y, 10 m, SD 18 y, 6 m), six at each level of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Inter- and intrarater reliability were estimated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

Interrater reliability was excellent, ICC 0.98 (95% CI 0.95-0.99) for EDACS levels I-V and ICC 1 for need for support, as was intrarater reliability, ICC 0.97 (95% CI 0.93-0.98) for EDACS levels I-V and ICC 0.99 (95% CI 0.99-1) for need for support.

CONCLUSIONS

When rated by speech and language pathologists, EDACS shows excellent inter- and intrarater reliability for children and adults with CP. EDACS can identify eating and drinking ability and need for support in individuals at all GMFCS levels.