The Pediatric Version of Caregivers’ Mealtime and Dysphagia Questionnaire (P-CMDQ): A validity study in Greek-Cypriot caregivers

Abstract

Introduction and objectives

Caregivers’ compliance with speech and language pathologist's (SLP) recommendations plays a valuable role in the dysphagia therapy process. The Caregiver Mealtime and Dysphagia Questionnaire (CMDQ) is a tool for determining why caregivers do not follow SLP recommendations for dysphagia patients. The purpose of this study was to translate, adapt, and validate the CMDQ, which had previously been created for adults with dysphagia, among Greek-Cypriot caregivers of children with feeding and/or swallowing difficulties.

Material and methods

The Pediatric Version of Caregivers’ Mealtime and Dysphagia Questionnaire (P-CMDQ) was administered to 222 parents/caregivers who had children with (N = 122) and without (N = 100) feeding and/or swallowing disorders. For the test–retest reliability measures, the questionnaire was re-administered after two weeks to all participants.

Results

A significant test–retest reliability was found (r = 0.999, p < .001). The P-CMDQ cut-off point was 85.00 [AUC 0.851, p < .001] for the two groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results showed the P-CMDQ to be a reliable questionnaire: factor 1 – α = 0.950, factor 2 – α = 0.494, and factor 3 – α = 0.678.

Conclusions

Overall, the P-CMDQ appears to be a reliable tool for the Greek-Cypriot caregivers who have children with feeding and/or swallowing disorders. It can assess the reasons for caregiver compliance with SLP recommendations for children with dysphagia. Hence, the P-CMDQ may be suitable for clinical implementation in the field of dysphagia assessment in children.