Test-Retest Reliability of the Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test in Children with Motor Coordination Problems

Although test-retest reliability of the Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test (SCPNT) with normal children is reported in the literature as high, there is more variability in response and lower reliability when the lest is used with learning or motor disabled children. As part of another study, 69 children (aged 5 to 9 years) with motor coordination problems were administered the SCPNT on multiple occasions. Test-retest reliability ranged from .64 to .79 (ICC) when the same tester administered both tests, but was very low when different testers were used (.12 and .17). There was no difference in test-retest reliability between children who had an average degree of excursion and those with barely perceptible excursion. Implications for the use of the test are discussed.