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Validity and reliability of the 3-meter backward walk test in children with cerebral palsy
Omer Faruk Celik1, Hatice Adiguzel2, Zekiye Ipek Katirci Kirmaci3
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, SANKO University, 27060, Sahinbey, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Insights
The 3-Meter Backwalk Test (3MBWT) is a valid and reliable tool for assessing children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This test can detect small changes in children with CP, aiding in monitoring disease progression and rehabilitation responses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Movement Science
Background:
- Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects motor function in children.
- Accurate assessment tools are crucial for monitoring CP progression and treatment effectiveness.
- The 3-Meter Backwalk Test (3MBWT) is a potential new measure for evaluating children with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the validity and reliability of the 3-Meter Backwalk Test (3MBWT) in children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
- To assess the test's ability to detect minimal important differences in functional status.
- To explore the utility of 3MBWT in conjunction with GMFCS (E&R) for tracking disease progression and rehabilitation outcomes.
Main Methods:
- The study included 55 children with CP, classified under GMFCS-E&R levels I and II.
- Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of 3MBWT were assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).
- Convergent validity was examined by correlating 3MBWT scores with established tests like PBS, TUG, and FSST.
Main Results:
- 3MBWT demonstrated excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability across GMFCS-E&R I and II levels (ICC > 0.927).
- Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) values indicated sensitivity to small performance variations.
- Strong correlations were observed between 3MBWT and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Four Square Step Test (FSST) in GMFCS-E&R I.
Conclusions:
- The 3-Meter Backwalk Test (3MBWT) is a valid and reliable measure for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
- The test's sensitivity (MDC) allows for the detection of subtle changes in functional ability.
- 3MBWT can provide valuable supplementary data for monitoring CP progression and response to rehabilitation interventions.
Objective:
To examine the validity and reliability of 3-Meter Backwalk Test (3MBWT) in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
Methods:
Study included 55 children with CP with the mean age of 12.34 ± 3.78 years, at Expanded and Revised Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS-E&R) I and II levels. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was used for the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of 3MBWT according to the GMFCS-E&R levels. MDC estimates were calculated using baseline data. Convergent validity of 3MBWT was evaluated with its correlation between the Timed Up and Down Stairs Test (TUDS), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Pediatric Reach Test (PRT), Four Square Step Test (FSST).
Results:
Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of 3MBWT was determined excellent at GMFCS-E&R I (Intra-rater ICC = 0.981-0.987, inter-rater ICC = 0.982-0.993), and GMFCS-E&R II (ICC = 0.927-0.933, ICC = 0.954-0.968). Intra-rater MDC values for GMFCS-E&R I were 1.17-1.22 s (s); 1.40-1.42 s for GMFCS-E&R II. Inter-rater MDC values for GMFCS-E&R I were 1.00-1.28 s, and MDC values for GMFCS-E&R II were 1.08-1.22 s. There was strong correlation between 3MBWT and PBS, TUG, and FSST in GMFCS-E&R I, moderate correlation between 3MBWT and TUDS, strong correlation between BBS, moderate correlation between TUG, and strong correlation between FSST in GMFCS-E&R II (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The 3MBWT was found to be valid and reliable in children with CP. According to the MDC results, small differences in CP children can be adequately detected with 3MBWT. The 3MBWT also may add some more information on to GMFCS (E&R) data for following the disease progression as well as rehabilitation responses.
Trial Registration Number:
NCT04653363.
