Interrater Reliability of the Home Assessment of Person-Environment Interaction (HoPE) - Cognitive Version

Aims: Most older people living with a neurocognitive disorder wish to age at home, and the person-environment interaction is a key factor in helping in-home functioning. The Home Assessment of Person-Environment Interaction (HoPE) - Cognitive Version is one of the few assessment tools targeting this interaction. This study tested its interrater reliability. Methods: Based on Classical Test Theory, two independent trained occupational therapists simultaneously administered the HoPE-Cognitive Version to 30 dyads (older person and their caregiver), at home. Kappa coefficients, percentages of agreement and standard errors were calculated. Results: Kappa coefficients ranged from -0.053 to 1.000 (kappa(mean)=0.415; percentage of agreement(range)=50%-100%); the majority (80%) ranged from Fair to Almost Perfect. For each of the three sections of the HoPE-Cognitive Version, the kappa coefficients for the global scores ranged as follows: Section 1: from 0.143 to 0.310 (mean = 0.235); Section 2: from 0.086 to 0.842 (mean = 0.413); Section 3: from -0.053 to 1.000 (mean = 0.532). Conclusion: This study documents the interrater reliability of a promising instrument for understanding the person-environment interaction of community-dwelling seniors living with neurocognitive disorders. Several low coefficients demonstrate a high percentage of agreement, according to Feinstein and Cicchetti's paradoxes. Continuing validation of the HoPE-Cognitive Version should further support its use.