Review Article

A Systematic Review on Clinimetric Properties of Play Instruments for Occupational Therapy Practice

Table 4

Usability of the instruments.

InstrumentDescriptionProcedurePopulationAdministrationDurationScoringTraining requirementAccessibility

Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment (ChIPPA)
(i) I-ChIPPA
Assessment of the quality of a child’s ability to self-initiate pretend play.Observation on two play scenarios [15 minutes each, (i) conventional imaginative play using toys, (ii) symbolic play using “junk” materials].Children age 3–7 years oldTherapist observation30 minutesActions observed were coded and then counted to be translated into raw score. The raw score is then calculated in and transformed into percentage according to norm reference.Self-learning through manual (75-minute video)Require purchase
Extension of I-ChIPPA:
Indigenous Play Partner Scale (IPPS)
The extension (i.e., IPPS) provides an added evaluation on social aspect in play.The IPPS added the observation on playing in pair.For indigenous AustralianSimilar to original instrumentSimultaneously with the original evaluation durationAdditional scoring on initiative playing in pair for social context.Additional reading on the journal articlePart of the original purchase
Knox’s Preschool Play Scale
(i) Knox Play Scale
(ii) Preschool Play Scale
(iii) Revised Knox’s Preschool Play Scale
The instrument has been evolved over time. The instrument is to evaluate children’s developmental play ages.Consist of 4 dimensions (space management, material management, pretense/symbolic, participation) and 12 categories of play behaviors. 30-minute observation each for inside and outside play.Children age 0 – 6 years old.Observation1 hourEach category (a.k.a. factor) is scored with either a+ when the behavior was present, a− when the behavior was absent, or NA when no opportunity to observe. The scoring is according to age, and play development is scored by transforming into mean score on factor/dimension.Not required. Self-training by reading the manualRequire purchase
McDonald Play InventoryThe instrument is to measure play frequency and play style.The instrument consists of two parts. Part one (i.e., MPAI) has four categories, and part two (i.e., MPSI) has six domains with a total of 80 items.Children age 7–11 years oldSelf-reported (children)
Proxy-reported (parents)
15 minutes (without assistance)
20–30 minutes (with assistance)
Each item was scored on a five-point Likert scale. Total score is calculated by summing-up the individual scores for each part.No training requiredMay need to contact the author
My Child’s PlayThe instrument is to measure parent’s perception on child’ play performance.The instrument has four categories with a total of 45 items.Children age 3–9 years oldProxy-administered (parents)Not mentionedEach item was scored on a five-point Likert scale. Total score is calculated by summing-up the individual scores. Higher score indicates better outcome.No training requiredMay need to contact the author. Possible to replicate from the article
Play Assessment for Group Settings (PAGS)The instrument is to evaluate attitude on organized and imaginative play.The instrument has 38 items and evaluated by observation during play activities in several occasions.Children age 2–8 years oldProfessional raterNo specific durationEach item was scored on four-point Likert scale. The raw score is totaled from the individual items and then computed and transformed to logits.No to minimal training (or self-training)May need to contact the author. Possible to replicate from the article
Play History InterviewA semistructured qualitative questionnaire to identify play experiences, interactions, environments, and opportunities.Five epochs:
sensorimotor, symbolic and simple constructive, dramatic and complex constructive and pregame, games, recreational.
Children age 0–16 years oldTherapist interviewing the caregiversNot specifiedQualitative response on each epoch—materials (what), action (how), people (with whom), setting (where).Encourage to be trainedMay need to contact the author. Difficult to reproduce from the journal article
Playform
(i) Child form
(ii) Parent form
(iii) Teacher form
The instrument is to evaluate child’s play competency.The instrument has 20 items.Children age 5–7 years oldSelf-administered (children)
Proxy-administered
Average 15 minutes (range 10–25 minutes)Scored each item on three-point Likert scale (“not very well,” “quite well,” “very well”). Total score is by counting the “very well” response.No training requiredMay need to contact the author. Unable to reproduce from the journal article
Test of Playfulness (ToP)The instrument is to evaluate intrinsic and internal component that reflects a child’s transaction in a play context.The instrument has four elements with a total of 29 items.6 months–18 years oldTherapist observation15 minutesEach item was scored on four-point Likert scale. The score is then totaled overall from raw score and converted into a measure score.Self-training by reading the manualRequire purchase
Extension of ToP:
Test of Environmental Supportiveness (TOES)
The instrument is to evaluate the element of environment that influences play.The instrument has 17 items and focuses on five elements.15 months–12 years oldSimilar to original instrumentSimultaneously with the original evaluation durationEach item was scored on four-point Likert scale. The score is then totaled overall from raw score and converted into a measure score.Self-training by reading the manualPart of the original purchase