The individual music-centered Assessment Profile for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (IMCAP-ND) for use in Portugal: translation and psychometric evidence

There is a comprehensive need for music-centred assessment tools as specific outcome measures of music therapy efficacy for people with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), namely, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), as music facilitates communicative and social skills of these individuals and allows unique ways to assess their particular deficits. This research explored the initial psychometric properties of the Individual Music-Centered Assessment Profile for Neurodevelopmental Disorders’ European Portuguese version (IMCAP-NDPT), by examining 1) translation and adaptation, 2) inter-rater reliability, 3) test-retest reliability and 4) criterion and convergent validity. Study I had a sample of 87 children aged between 21 and 91 months, 30 of them with neurotypical development and 57 with several neurodevelopmental disorders, while studies II, III and IV had autistic children aged between 26 and 65 months (n = 10, n = 12 and n = 11, respectively). The translated and transculturally adapted version of IMCAP-NDPT seemed adequate for its purposes. This outcome measure obtained statistical significance when differentiating between groups with and without pathology. Findings also revealed a moderate / satisfactory test-retest repeatability (95% CI – CCI = .424 p= .022 ranging to CCI= .791 p= .000) and solid interobserver agreement (95% CI – ICC from .924 to .996 single measures p = .000, (κ) between two raters ranging from .81 to 1.00 in 63 of 109 items of the three scales as well as Pearson’s r ranged between .7 and .9; α = .997). Regarding criterion and convergent validity, positive significant correlations were found between several Musical Emotional Assessment Rating Scale (MEARS) and Musical Cognitive/Perception Scale (MCPS) items and totals and the Griffiths Mental Development Scales (GMDS) domains, varying from .60 to .90; no negative or null correlations were found. The results showed a noticeable level of inter-rater reliability as well as a good internal consistency. Thus, the IMCAP-ND Portuguese version can be used more confidently in clinical practice; nevertheless, future studies are recommended with a larger sample.