The Mealtime Assessment Scale (MAS): Part 1 - Development of a Scale for Meal Assessment

AIMS: Safety and efficacy of swallowing in instrumental assessment may not overlap safety and efficacy of swallowing during meal, as personal and environmental factors can influence the performance. This study aims to develop a scale to assess the safety and efficacy of swallowing during meal. METHODS: A working group discussed the latent construct, target population, and purposes of the scale. Items were generated based on the International Classification of Functioning framework. Thirty-nine items were created and divided into 4 subscales. A pilot test was conducted on 40 patients, assessed by a speech and language therapist (SLT) while consuming a meal. In 10 patients, meal observation was simultaneously conducted by 2 SLTs to assess inter-rater agreement. Criteria for identification of items candidate for exclusion or revision were defined. RESULTS: Twelve items were "not assessable" in at least 10% of the patients. An inter-item correlation r >0.7 was found in 2 cases and a discrimination index equal to 0 in 7/22 items. Inter-rater agreement was satisfactory. After item revision, the Mealtime Assessment Scale (MAS) was created, including 26 items divided into 4 subscales. CONCLUSION: The MAS was developed to assess the safety and efficacy of swallowing during meal. A validation process should be conducted.