Adaptation of the adult Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) into a FMA-Family Centred (FMA-FC) paediatric version

The aims of this study were to adapt an adult wheeled mobility outcome measure, the Functional Mobility Assessment, for use with children (FMA-Family Centred) and establish the new measure's content validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency.

Although several tools exist to measure a child's ability to operate and move a wheeled mobility device, none focus on the ability of the wheeled mobility device to support children and their families as they perform daily activities.

After adapting the FMA items with examples relevant to children aged 3-21, parent/caregiver and therapist stakeholder groups recommended adaptations relevant for families with children who cannot respond for themselves.

Six of the initial FMA items were retained with child-appropriate examples, and 4 new items were developed.

The content validity of the FMA-Family Centred was strongly supported, and internal consistency and test-retest reliability met accepted psychometric standards.