Validity and reliability of a visual scoring method for masticatory ability using test gummy jelly

Background:  For quantitative evaluation of masticatory ability of the elderly patients, there should be a simple and reliable method without special techniques and instruments. Objective:  The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a visual scoring method for assessing masticatory performance. Materials and Methods:  A 10-stage scale for visually scoring was rated based on the range of the glucose concentration dissolved from comminuted jelly. Photographic images of comminuted jellies were produced as a standard material for each score. Fifty subjects were recruited as raters who graded the visual score for 50 photographic images of comminuted jellies on the screen of a lap-top three times in random order. Results:  There were strong correlations (rs = 0.911– 0.981, Spearman’s rank coefficient) between the actual scores determined from the glucose concentration and the visual scores graded by subjects in all three measurements. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of the inter-rater reliability and the ICCs of the intra-rater reliability of the visual scoring ranged from 0.946 to 0.947 and from 0.860 to 0.987 in three measurements, respectively. Conclusions:  These results indicated that the visual scoring method was valid and reliable for evaluation of masticatory performance.