Content Validation of the Movement Disorder-Childhood Rating Scale (MD-CRS) for Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP), a lifelong neurological disorder beginning in early childhood, manifests with hyperkinetic movements and dystonia. The Movement Disorder-Childhood Rating Scale (MD-CRS) is a clinician-reported outcome measure assessing the intensity of movement disorders and their effect on daily life in pediatric patients. Content validity of clinical outcome assessments is key to accurately capturing patient perspective. Evidence demonstrating content validity of the MD-CRS in patients with DCP is needed. This study captures input from patients with DCP and their caregivers regarding the content validity of the MD-CRS.

This qualitative, noninterventional, cross-sectional study included interviews with children/adolescents (aged six to 18 years) with DCP and caregivers of children with DCP. Participants were asked to describe body regions and daily functions affected by DCP. Caregivers also reviewed MD-CRS Part I to evaluate the relevance of the items and corresponding response options. Descriptions of DCP were coded and mapped to MD-CRS items and response options. Caregiver feedback on MD-CRS Part I was analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Eight patients and 12 caregivers were interviewed. Participants confirmed that the body regions and activities listed in the MD-CRS were affected by DCP and that involuntary movements interfered with all motor, oral/verbal, self-care, and video protocol activities. Caregivers endorsed the response options for 12 of 15 items in MD-CRS Part I and suggested clarifications for others.

Participants confirmed that affected body regions and activities listed in the MD-CRS were relevant to their experience with DCP, demonstrating the content validity of this tool in children/adolescents with DCP.