Effect of the response tree format on the utility and psychometric properties of scales measuring symptoms in adults undergoing inpatient rehabilitation

Imbedding a response tree into self-report scales is a strategy recommended to improve item comprehension and reduce burden in older adults. However, researchers have posed potential utility, validity, and reliability limitations to this strategy that have not been examined in the clinical setting. We evaluated the effect of the response tree format (RTF) on the psychometric properties and utility of three scales measuring symptoms in 86 …