The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Scale for Patellar Tendinopathy (VISA-P): A Reliability Generalization Meta-analysis

Objective: The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) is a questionnaire to assess the severity of patellar tendinopathies. Its use requires good reliability indicators: internal consistency, test-retest and parallel forms. Several studies have been published examining this question, but to date the reliability of this questionnaire (meta-analysis) has not been generalized. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to generalize the reliability of the VISA-P. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus. Study selection: Studies included were those examining the reliability coefficients of the VISA-P: Cronbach alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and parallel-forms (correlation coefficients compared with other scales). Data extraction: All coefficients were extracted and the mean reliability was obtained using fixed- or random-effects models. Sensitivity (leave-one-out analysis) was analyzed. Quality assessment was performed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. Data Synthesis: Of 364 scientific articles, 12 fulfilled meta-analysis criteria. The summary statistic was 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78-0.92] for Cronbach alpha and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89-0.97) for the ICC. Parallel forms depended on the comparative test used, ranging from -0.83 to 0.68. The sensitivity analysis found an influential study for the parallel-forms reliability in the Blazina score. We were unable to analyze the asymmetry of funnel plots and meta-regression models because of the number of studies. Conclusions: The reliability of VISA-P for assessing the severity of patellar tendinopathies requires greater evaluation with more scientific evidence before it can be implemented in clinical practice.

Automated summary

The reliability of the VISA-P questionnaire in assessing patellar tendinopathies needs further evaluation, particularly in terms of its parallel forms. This meta-analysis found influential results but highlighted the need for more scientific evidence, especially with larger sample sizes.