Development and content validity of the caregiver assisted transfer technique instrument

Assist Technol, 2025 · DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2024.2336334 · Published: February 14, 2025

Assistive Technology Rehabilitation Social Support

Simple Explanation

Informal caregivers often help people with disabilities move from one place to another. These transfers can cause injuries to the caregivers. This study created a tool to objectively measure how well caregivers perform these transfers. The tool, called the Caregiver Assisted Transfer Technique Instrument (CATT), was rated by clinicians, caregivers, and people with spinal cord injuries for importance, clarity and appropriateness. Based on feedback, the CATT was divided into two versions: one for manual lifting (CATT-M) and one for transfers using lift-based technologies (CATT-L).

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

30 participants: 15 rehabilitation professionals, 10 informal caregivers, and 5 individuals with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Items were generally rated favorably for importance, clarity, and appropriateness.
2
Most items had excellent content validity (k* ≥ 0.75).
3
Feedback led to two versions of the CATT: CATT-M for manual lifting and CATT-L for lift-based technologies.

Research Summary

This study developed and evaluated the content validity of the Caregiver Assisted Transfer Technique Instrument (CATT), designed to objectively assess transfer techniques used by informal caregivers. The CATT was developed in three phases: background and item development, pre-testing with an expert panel, and content validity assessment with clinicians, caregivers, and individuals with spinal cord injury. The study resulted in two versions of the CATT: one for manual lifting techniques (CATT-M) and one for transfers performed via lift-based technologies (CATT-L), with good content validity.

Practical Implications

Improved caregiver training

The CATT can be used to provide objective feedback on caregiver transfer techniques, potentially improving the effectiveness of training programs.

Standardized transfer assessment

The CATT can standardize practices around transfer assessment and outcome measurement.

Reduced caregiver injury

By evaluating and improving transfer techniques, the CATT could contribute to reducing the risk of musculoskeletal pain and injury among informal caregivers.

Study Limitations

1
Convenience sample with most participants from western Pennsylvania, potentially introducing location bias.
2
Only individuals with SCI/D were surveyed, limiting generalizability to other populations who require transfer assistance.
3
Aspects of assisted transfer technique may not be included in the CATT.

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