Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable
Published on: May 17, 2024
Concurrent validity and reliability of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale in premature infants
Kênnea Martins Almeida1, Maria Virginia Peixoto Dutra, Rosane Reis de Mello
1Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. kenneajf@superig.com.br
Insights
The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) accurately assesses motor development in premature infants. This study confirms its validity and reliability for high-risk infants in Brazil.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Motor Development Assessment
Background:
- Premature infants require specialized monitoring for developmental delays.
- The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) is a tool used to assess infant motor skills.
- Validating assessment tools is crucial for accurate developmental tracking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the concurrent validity of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS).
- To assess the interobserver reliability of the AIMS.
- To evaluate the AIMS in premature infants within the Brazilian public health system.
Main Methods:
- 88 premature infants were assessed at a follow-up clinic.
- Concurrent validity was tested using the AIMS and Bayley Scales of Infant Development.
- Interobserver reliability was assessed using the AIMS by two independent observers.
Main Results:
- A high correlation (r=0.95) was found between AIMS and Bayley Scales, confirming concurrent validity.
- Interobserver reliability was satisfactory, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.76 to 0.99.
- Validity was stronger at 12 months (r=0.89) compared to 6 months (r=0.74).
Conclusions:
- The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) is a valid and reliable tool for assessing motor development.
- The AIMS is suitable for high-risk infants in the Brazilian public health system.
- The findings support the use of AIMS in clinical practice for monitoring premature infants.
Objective:
To verify the concurrent validity and interobserver reliability of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) in premature infants followed-up at the outpatient clinic of Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IFF/Fiocruz), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Methods:
A total of 88 premature infants were enrolled at the follow-up clinic at IFF/Fiocruz, between February and December of 2006. For the concurrent validity study, 46 infants were assessed at either 6 (n = 26) or 12 (n = 20) months' corrected age using the AIMS and the second edition of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, by two different observers, and applying Pearson's correlation coefficient to analyze the results. For the reliability study, 42 infants between 0 and 18 months were assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale, by two different observers and the results analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient.
Results:
The concurrent validity study found a high level of correlation between the two scales (r = 0.95) and one that was statistically significant (p < 0.01) for the entire population of infants, with higher values at 12 months (r = 0.89) than at 6 months (r = 0.74). The interobserver reliability study found satisfactory intraclass correlation coefficients at all ages tested, varying from 0.76 to 0.99.
Conclusions:
The AIMS is a valid and reliable instrument for the evaluation of motor development in high-risk infants within the Brazilian public health system.
