Citation

Brunton LK, Bartlett DJ. Phys. Ther. 2011; 91(4): 577-588.

Affiliation

Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, 1011c Elborn College, 1201 Western Rd, London, Ontario, Canada N6G 1H1.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.2522/ptj.20100279

PMID

21350032

Abstract

Background The "gold standard" for measuring gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy is the 66-item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66). Objective The purpose of this study was to estimate the validity and reliability of 2 abbreviated versions of the GMFM-66; one version involves an item set approach, and the other version involves a basal and ceiling approach. Design This was a measurement study comprising concurrent validity, comparability, and test-retest reliability components. METHODS:/b> The study participants were 26 children who were 2 to 6 years of age and had cerebral palsy across all Gross Motor Function Classification System levels. In the first session, both abbreviated versions were administered by 2 independent raters; next, the full GMFM-66 was administered. In the second session, only the abbreviated versions were administered by the same raters. Concurrent validity, comparability of versions, and test-retest reliability were determined with intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC (2,1)]. RESULTS: /b> Both versions demonstrated high levels of validity, with an ICC of .99 (95% confidence interval=0.972-0.997), reflecting associations with the GMFM-66. Both versions also were shown to be highly reliable, with ICCs of greater than .98 (95% confidence interval=0.965-0.994). Limitations A smaller-than-expected sample was recruited for this study and may be a potential limitation of the study. CONCLUSION:/b> Both versions of the GMFM-66 can be used in clinical practice or research. However, the GMFM-66 with the basal and ceiling approach is recommended as the preferred abbreviated version.

Language: en