BACKGROUND: @entity227 ( @entity227 ) are used to assess the strength of perceptions of both @entity1 and adults in many clinical and research settings. Although the @entity227 has been shown by some authors to be reliable for use by @entity1 aged 5 years and older, others have proposed that young @entity1 , generally < or =7 years of age, may not have the conceptual ability to use a @entity227 . OBJECTIVE: To identify @entity73 that would maximize the accuracy of predicting @entity1 's abilities to use a @entity227 . METHODS: Forty kindergarten @entity1 performed a seriation task, used a @entity227 to perform a calibration task and completed the Block Design and Vocabulary subtests of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R). An estimated IQ was calculated from the WPPSI-R subtest scores. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the Hollingshead Four Factor Index of Social Status. Logistic regression was used to determine the best predictive models. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and accuracy were calculated for statistically significant predictive models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Successful completion of the calibration study by the @entity1 . RESULTS: Only 42% of the subjects could use a @entity227 . The subject's age (> or =5.6 years), combined with estimated IQ (> or =100), was the best predictor of a @entity1 's ability to use a @entity227 (88% accuracy). CONCLUSION: The majority of kindergarten @entity1 in our study could not complete a @entity227 accurately. Cognitive ability, combined with chronological age, was the best predictor of a @entity1 's accurate use of a @entity227 , as determined by logistic regression. Paediatric researchers may need to consider alternative rating scales to measure perceptions in @entity1 under 7 years of age.

Predictors of a XXXX 's ability to use a visual analogue scale.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children', 'child'] @entity73 :: ('MESH:D003072', 'Disease') :: ['demographic and cognitive variables'] @entity227 :: ('MESH:D014786', 'Disease') :: ['VAS', 'Visual analogue scales']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['child']
