Julia Balzer1, Petra Marsico1, Elena Mitteregger2, Marietta L van der Linden3, Thomas H Mercer3, Hubertus J A van Hedel1. 1. Pediatric Rehab Research Group, Rehabilitation Center for Children and Adolescents, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland. 2. Regional Group Zurich Foundation Cerebral Palsy (RGZ), Zurich, Switzerland. 3. Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract
AIM: Assessing impaired selective voluntary movement control in children with cerebral palsy (CP) has gained increasing interest. We investigated construct validity and intra- and interrater reliability of the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE). METHOD: Thirty-nine children (21 males, 18 females) with spastic CP, mean age 12 years 6 months [range 6y 11mo-19y 9mo], Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to IV, participated. Differences in SCALE scores were determined on joint levels and between patients categorized according to their limb distribution and GMFCS levels. SCALE scores were correlated with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Manual Muscle Test, and Modified Ashworth Scale. To determine reliability, the SCALE was applied once and recorded on video. RESULTS: SCALE scores differed significantly between the less and more affected leg (p<0.001) and between most leg joints. Total SCALE scores differed significantly between GMFCS levels I and II. Correlations with Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Manual Muscle Test, and Modified Ashworth Scale were 0.88, 0.88, and -0.55 respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients were all above 0.9, with the minimal detectable change below 2 points. INTERPRETATION: The SCALE appears to be a valid and reliable tool to assess selective voluntary movement control of the legs in children with spastic CP.
AIM: Assessing impaired selective voluntary movement control in children with cerebral palsy (CP) has gained increasing interest. We investigated construct validity and intra- and interrater reliability of the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE). METHOD: Thirty-nine children (21 males, 18 females) with spastic CP, mean age 12 years 6 months [range 6y 11mo-19y 9mo], Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to IV, participated. Differences in SCALE scores were determined on joint levels and between patients categorized according to their limb distribution and GMFCS levels. SCALE scores were correlated with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Manual Muscle Test, and Modified Ashworth Scale. To determine reliability, the SCALE was applied once and recorded on video. RESULTS: SCALE scores differed significantly between the less and more affected leg (p<0.001) and between most leg joints. Total SCALE scores differed significantly between GMFCS levels I and II. Correlations with Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Manual Muscle Test, and Modified Ashworth Scale were 0.88, 0.88, and -0.55 respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients were all above 0.9, with the minimal detectable change below 2 points. INTERPRETATION: The SCALE appears to be a valid and reliable tool to assess selective voluntary movement control of the legs in children with spastic CP.
Authors: Jeffrey W Keller; Annina Fahr; Julia Balzer; Jan Lieber; Hubertus J A van Hedel Journal: J Neuroeng Rehabil Date: 2020-07-13 Impact factor: 4.262
Authors: Eileen G Fowler; William L Oppenheim; Marcia B Greenberg; Loretta A Staudt; Shantanu H Joshi; Daniel H S Silverman Journal: Front Hum Neurosci Date: 2020-05-25 Impact factor: 3.169
Authors: Jeffrey W Keller; Julia Balzer; Annina Fahr; Jan Lieber; Urs Keller; Hubertus J A van Hedel Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2019-12-30 Impact factor: 4.379