Reliability and convergent validity of self-reported physical activity questionnaires for people with mental disorders : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: To examine the reliability and convergent validity of self-reported questionnaires (SRQs) to measure physical activity (PA). Methods: Systematic review with meta-analysis. The validity and reliability of SRQs to assess PA in people with mental disorders (January 20, 2020). Random-effects meta-analyses were performed pooling (1) test-retest correlations or (2) the convergent validity between the SRQs and objective measures (eg, accelerometry). Associations were provided in r values with the 95% confidence interval. Methodological quality was assessed. Results: A total of 9 unique studies (N = 1344; 40.5% females) were included. The authors found a moderate correlation test-retest reliability for PA SRQs in the assessment of vigorous PA (r =.69 [.38 to.85]; P =.001), moderate to vigorous PA (r =.63 [.25 to.84]; P =.003), moderate PA (r =.63 [.39 to.79]; P =.001), and good correlation total PA (r =.75 [.37 to.92]; P =.001). The SRQs have moderate correlations with objective measures for moderate to vigorous PA (r =.25 [.18 to.32]; P =.0001) and total PA (r =.47 [.28 to.62]; P =.005), a poor correlation for moderate PA (r =.18 [.03 to.36]; P =.047), and no correlation with vigorous PA (r =.06 [−.10 to.22]; P =.440). Conclusion: Current evidence indicates that SRQs are reliable over time to assess moderate, vigorous, and total PA levels and valid when assessing moderate PA.