KAMUTHE video microanalysis system for use in Brazil: translation, cross-cultural adaptation and evidence of validity and reliability

background
KAMUTHE is a video microanalysis system which observes
preverbal communication within the music therapy
setting. This system is indicated for children with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) or multiple disabilities. The
purpose of this study was to translate, adapt to Brazilian
Portuguese language and analyze some psychometric
properties (reliability and validity evidence) of KAMUTHE
administration in Brazil for individuals with ASD.

participants and procedure
Translation, back translation, analysis by judges, and pilot
application were performed to obtain evidence of content
and face validity. The second part of this study was to administer
KAMUTHE in 39 consecutive children with ASD.
An individual session of improvisational music therapy
was applied to assess the different behaviors included in
KAMUTHE. The intra-rater reliability, concurrent validity
and convergent validity were analyzed.

results
Translation and cross-cultural adaptation were followed
and some cultural adaptations were needed. Inter-rater reliability
was very good (ICCs 0.95-0.99) for the three child’s
behaviors analyzed. Criteria validity with a moderate negative
association was found (r = –.38, p = .02) comparing
the behavior “Gazes at therapist” and the level of ASD
along with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).
Convergent validity was established between the behavior
“Gazes at therapist” and the two nonlinguistic communication
scales (social interaction and interests) of the Children’s
Communication Checklist (CCC) with a moderate
correlation (r = –.33, p = .04).

conclusions
The administration of the KAMUTHE video microanalysis
system showed positive results in children with ASD.
Further studies are needed to improve the reliability and
validity of the instrument in Brazil.