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Can items on the TIMP aide in determining the motor performance of children with severe cerebral palsy? A pilot study
Sébastien Vanderlinden1, Delphine Dispa2, Fanny Gustin3
1Faculté de Médecine, Départment des Sciences de la Motricité, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Insights
A new assessment tool, based on the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP), shows good reliability for evaluating children with severe cerebral palsy (CP). Further development is recommended to refine its psychometric properties for this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Motor Development
Background:
- Assessing functional levels in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) necessitates sensitive measurement tools.
- The Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) is a foundational tool, but adaptation is needed for specific populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate the reliability and validity of a novel 'assessment tool' adapted from the TIMP for children with severe CP (GMFCS Level V).
Main Methods:
- An 'assessment tool' was administered by five physical therapists to six children (3-6 years) diagnosed with CP, GMFCS Level V.
- Intra- and inter-rater reliability of the 'assessment tool' were assessed.
- Concurrent validity was examined against the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88).
Main Results:
- The 'assessment tool' demonstrated good intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.7545 to 0.979) among four of five therapists.
- Inter-rater reliability for the total score was good (ICC = 0.816), though item-level reliability varied.
- Motor function scores were less stable in children with dyskinesia; concurrent validity was not significant.
Conclusions:
- Further development of the 'assessment tool' is warranted.
- A larger study with revised guidelines and items is recommended to re-verify psychometric properties.
Background:
Assessing the functional level of children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) requires sensitive tools. In this study, an 'assessment tool' was developed based on the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) for this population and the reliability and validity evaluated.
Methods:
Five physical therapists administered the 'assessment tool' to six children (3-6 years old with a diagnosis of CP, GMFCS Level V). Subtest I of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) was also administered. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were assessed, and the concurrent validity between the 'assessment tool' and GMFM-88 calculated.
Results:
The intra-rater reliability, a comparison of the total scores on the 'assessment tool' (live test) and the videotaped rescoring of the same test one month later showed consistency among four of the five therapists (ICC = 0.7545 to 0.979). The inter-rater reliability varied on some of the items but the total score on the 'assessment tool' showed good reliability (ICC2,5 0.816). Scores of children with dyskinesia were less stable. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was not significant. Therapists provided recommendations for item revisions.
Conclusion:
Further development of an 'assessment tool' appears justified; a larger study using a version with revised administration guidelines and items should be undertaken to re-verify the psychometrics properties of the 'assessment tool.'
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