Article

PURPOSE: To determine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of
Expanded and Revised Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS-ER) for
cerebral palsy (CP) and to explore if there existed differences between parents
and the other raters. METHOD: The GMFCS-ER was translated into Chinese. Children
with CP age 6 to 18 years from two special education schools were assessed by 6
physiatrists, 21 physiotherapists, 15 teachers and parents. Inter-rater
reliability was analyzed with inter-rater correlation coefficients (ICC).
Validity was assessed using Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) score as the
criterion standard. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age of the 130 children (93 boys, 37
girls) was 11.5 (2.8) years. Overall ICCs ranged between 0.84 and 0.92.
Reliabilities between physiatrists, physiotherapists and teachers (ICCs from 0.86
to 0.92) were higher than those between parents and the other raters (ICCs from
0.80 to 0.84) in 6-to-12 year age band. The overall correlation for
criterion-related validity was -0.83. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the
GMFCS-ER is a valid measure of functional ability in school children with CP and
reliable enough for use by Chinese healthcare providers and parents. Effects of
environmental and personal factors should be considered when practicing GMFCS-ER
assessment. Implications for Rehabilitation Cerebral palsy. Research about
GMFCS-ER is needed to promote a more extensive use of GMFCS-ER in China for
school children with CP. The Chinese version of the GMFCS-ER is a valid measure
of functional ability in school children with CP and reliable enough for use by
Chinese healthcare providers. Effects of environmental and personal factors
should be considered when performing the GMFCS-ER assessment.

Langue : ANGLAIS