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Published on: June 12, 2019
Reliability of the gross motor function measure in cerebral palsy
E Nordmark1, G Hägglund, G B Jarnlo
1Department of Physical Therapy, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Insights
The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) shows good reliability for assessing motor function in children with cerebral palsy. This tool effectively evaluates treatment outcomes and changes in performance over time.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pediatric Neurology
- Clinical Assessment Tools
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts gross motor function in children.
- The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) is a key instrument for evaluating motor skills in this population.
- Assessing the reliability of the GMFM is crucial for its accurate application in clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM).
- To assess the reliability specifically on the three most challenging dimensions of the GMFM.
- To determine the GMFM's utility in monitoring treatment outcomes in children with cerebral palsy.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen physiotherapists assessed video recordings of three children with cerebral palsy performing GMFM tasks.
- Assessments were conducted twice, with a six-month interval, using the GMFM manual.
- No prior experience or specific training with the GMFM was provided to the physiotherapists.
Main Results:
- Mean percentage scores remained consistent between the first and second assessments.
- Good inter-rater reliability was observed (0.77 at first assessment, 0.88 at second assessment).
- Good intra-rater reliability was found (0.68 at the second assessment).
Conclusions:
- The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) demonstrates good reliability for assessing children with cerebral palsy.
- The GMFM is a valuable tool for evaluating motor function and treatment effectiveness in CP.
- The instrument's reliability supports its use in tracking changes in performance over time.
Abstract:
The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), an instrument comprising five dimensions devised by Russell and co-workers (7) to measure gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP) or brain damage, enables changes in performance status to be evaluated after therapy or when monitored over time. We analysed its inter-rater and intra-rater reliability on the three most difficult dimensions. A video-recording of three children with CP performing test tasks was assessed on two occasions at an interval of six months by each of the 15 physiotherapists using the GMFM manual but without previous experience or training in the use of the instrument. Mean percentage scores were similar at the first and second assessments. Both inter- and intra-rater reliabilities were good, inter-rater reliability being 0.77 and 0.88 at the first and second assessments, respectively, and intra-rater reliability 0.68 at the second assessment. The findings suggest the GMFM to be a useful and reliable instrument for assessing motor function and treatment outcome in CP.
