Psychometric Properties of Functional Balance Assessment in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Gan SM, Tung LC, Tang YH, Wang CH

This study examined the reliability and validity of 3 functional balance measures in children with cerebral palsy. Thirty children aged 60 to 142 months with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels of I to IV were assessed with the Functional Reach Test (FRT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) twice. The 3 functional balance measures had excellent test-retest reliability and interrater reliability. With regard to convergent validity, the BBS and the TUG were highly correlated with GMFM total score, walking speed, and the 10-second sit-to-stand test. The discriminate validity indicates that the FRT can distinguish children with cerebral palsy with different GMFCS levels, whereas the BBS total score and TUG failed to distinguish between children with cerebral palsy with GMFCS levels of I and II.

The 3 functional balance measures are simple, valid, and reliable for examining children with cerebral palsy and are thus suitable for clinical practice.

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 2008 Jul 21, online article ahead of print

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