Application of the Gross Motor Function Measure in children with conditions other than cerebral palsy: A systematic...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Movement Science
• Clinical Measurement

Background:

• The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) is a standard tool for assessing motor function in children.
• Its application has extended beyond cerebral palsy (CP) to various other pediatric conditions.
• However, the psychometric properties and clinical utility of the GMFM in these diverse populations require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate the application and measurement properties of the GMFM in children with conditions other than CP.
• To assess the quality of evidence supporting GMFM use in non-CP pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive systematic review of five electronic databases was performed.
• Studies utilizing the GMFM in pediatric populations with conditions other than CP were identified.
• Methodological quality and measurement properties (reliability, validity, responsiveness) were assessed using established criteria.

Main Results:

• 210 studies were included, examining eight conditions including acquired brain injury, spinal muscular atrophy, and Down syndrome.
• Evidence quality was generally low to very low due to small sample sizes and methodological limitations.
• Reliability was generally sufficient, but content validity, construct validity, and responsiveness showed variable or insufficient evidence across conditions, with inadequate reporting and validation in clinical application.

Conclusions:

• The GMFM's validation for pediatric conditions beyond CP is currently insufficient, despite its widespread clinical use.
• There is a critical need for enhanced methodological rigor and content validity verification.
• Clinicians must exercise caution when interpreting GMFM results in non-CP populations until robust validation is established.