Cadaveric biomechanical and laboratory research can be quantitatively scored for quality with the Biomechanics Objective Basic science Quality Assessment Tool: The BOBQAT score.

PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to develop a quality appraisal tool for the assessment of cadaveric biomechanical laboratory and other basic science biomechanical studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS:For item identification/development, a systematic review of the literature was first performed. The content validity index (CVI) was used to either include or exclude items. The content validity ratio (CVR) was used to determine content validity. Weighting was performed by each panel member; the final weight was either up- or downgraded to the closest of 5 or 10%. Face validity was scored on a Likert scale ranked from 1-7. Test-retest reliability was determined using the Fleiss kappa coefficient. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. Concurrent criterion validity was assessed against the QUACS scale. RESULTS:The final BOBQAT score included 15 items and was shown to be valid, reliable and consistent. Five items had a CVI of 1.0; ten items had a CVI of 0.875. For weighting, five items received a weight of 10% and ten items a weight of 5%. CVR was 1.0 for six items and 0.75 for nine items. For face validity, all items achieved a score above 5. For test-retest reliability, almost perfect test-retest reliability was observed for ten items, substantial agreement for four items and moderate agreement for one item. For internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha was calculated to be 0.71. For concurrent criterion validity, Pearson's product-moment correlation was 0.56 (95% CI 0.38-0.70, p=0.0001). CONCLUSION:Cadaveric biomechanical and laboratory research can be quantitatively scored for quality based on the inclusion of a clear and answerable purpose, demographics, specimen condition, appropriate bone density, reproducible technique, appropriate outcome measures, appropriate loading conditions, appropriate load magnitude, cyclic loading, sample size calculation, proper statistical analysis, results consistent with methods, limitations considered, conclusions based on results, and disclosure of funding and potential conflicts.