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Psychometric properties of Brachial Plexus outcome measure: COSMIN-based systematic review
Kate Kyuri Kim1,2, Darcy Fehlings3,4, Karen Wong2,5
1Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
The Brachial Plexus Outcome Measure (BPOM) - Activity Scale shows promise for assessing upper limb function in children with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (BPBI). Further research is needed to confirm its content validity and reliability.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Clinical outcome measurement
- Upper limb function assessment
Background:
- Children with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (BPBI) often have upper limb impairments, with 20-30% needing interventions.
- A validated tool is crucial for guiding clinical decisions in surgical and rehabilitation interventions for BPBI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the measurement properties of the Brachial Plexus Outcome Measure (BPOM) - Activity Scale.
- To evaluate its suitability for assessing upper limb activity capacity in children with BPBI.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines.
- Searched three databases from inception to October 2023.
- Assessed methodological quality using COSMIN's Risk of Bias checklist.
Main Results:
- Six studies were included; 27% had very good quality.
- The BPOM - Activity Scale demonstrated strong internal consistency, good reliability, and construct validity.
- Additional evidence is required for content validity and reliability.
Conclusions:
- The BPOM - Activity Scale has potential for evidence-based rehabilitation support in children with BPBI.
- It can aid in shared clinical decision-making for interventions.
Purpose:
Children with incomplete recovery from Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (BPBI) experience varying degrees of upper limb impairment, and 20-30% require interventions to optimize function. A psychometrically validated measure of upper limb activity capacity is essential to guide shared clinical decisions for surgical and rehabilitation interventions.
Materials And Methods:
Following the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis, this systematic review included studies on the measurement properties of the Brachial Plexus Outcome Measure (BPOM) - Activity Scale, a performance-based outcome measure of upper limb activity capacity in children with BPBI. Three databases were searched from inception to October 2023. Methodological quality was assessed and summarized using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN)'s Risk of Bias checklist.
Results:
Of 11 screened, 6 studies were included. The quality of measurement property studies was very good (27%, n = 4), adequate (7%, n = 1), doubtful (20%, n = 3) and inadequate (47%, n = 7). The BPOM - Activity Scale demonstrated strong internal consistency, with good reliability and construct validity. Additional evidence on its content validity and reliability is necessary.
Conclusions:
Overall, the BPOM - Activity Scale has the potential to provide evidence-based information to support the rehabilitation of children with BPBI.
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