Inclusion of Children With Chronic Diseases or Disabilities in Studies Assessing Measurement Properties of Physical Activity Questionnaires: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND: This review combined studies included in 3 systematic reviews of the measurement properties of physical activity (PA) questionnaires in children to explore: (1) if any questionnaire was specifically developed for or validated in children with chronic conditions or disabilities; (2) to what extent the inclusion/exclusion of these children was reported; (3) whether any specific chronic conditions or disabilities were more commonly excluded; and (4) if the percentage of papers reporting inclusion/exclusion of children with chronic conditions or disabilities changed over time. METHODS: Two independent investigators reviewed included papers (N = 216) that reported at least one psychometric property of PA questionnaires for children and extracted data, including study populations and inclusion/exclusion of children with chronic conditions or disabilities. Chi-square tests were used to assess changes in reporting about inclusion/exclusion of these children between the 3 reviews. RESULTS: Only 8 papers (4%) evaluated newly developed questionnaires or tested existing ones specifically in children with chronic conditions or disabilities. Forty-eight papers (22%) reported whether they included or excluded children with chronic conditions or disabilities. About 3 times more papers reported exclusion (n = 40; 19%) versus inclusion (n = 13; 6%) of children with chronic conditions or disabilities. Exclusions included either all chronic conditions or disabilities, those limiting PA participation, or specific chronic conditions or disabilities. Although more studies in the latest review reported about inclusion/exclusion (P < .05), the proportion remained low (31%). CONCLUSION: More PA questionnaires should be developed and/or validated in children with chronic conditions or disabilities and studies should avoid excluding these children whenever possible.