Article

OBJECTIVE: To identify and critically appraise clinical measurement tools used to
assess sitting posture, seated postural control or functional abilities for
children with motor impairment who are candidates for seating interventions. DATA
SOURCES: Searches were run in 15 electronic databases along with hand searching.
The search included articles published in English to December 2011. REVIEW
METHODS: Key terms included: posture, sitting, sitting posture, seated posture,
seated postural control, sitting position, seating, wheelchair(s), outcome and
assess(ment). The PRISMA statement was followed with inclusion criteria set a
priori. Two reviewers independently screened titles, reviewed abstracts and
identified full-text articles that met criteria. Data extraction included tool
description and clinical utility. Two quality-rating scales were used to evaluate
conduct of the studies and psychometric properties of the tools. RESULTS: Of the
497 titles found in the search, 29 full-text articles met the inclusion criteria
and 19 tools were identified. Tools represented all components of the
International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children
and Youth (ICF-CY), with emphasis on body structure and function and activity
components. Evidence supporting reliability and validity varied, with small
sample sizes influencing quality ratings. Evidence of the tools' reliability was
more prevalent than evidence of the tools' validity. Only four tools reported on
responsiveness, an important consideration for evaluating change. Little
information on clinical utility was provided. CONCLUSION: Although a number of
tools are available, evidence supporting their use for seating interventions is
limited, as is the evidence supporting the strength of their measurement
properties. Few tools address participation, environmental factors or the child's
and family's perspective.

Langue : ANGLAIS