Testing of the Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure: a discriminative measure of posture and flexibility for children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

In this study we describe the development and preliminary psychometric testing of the Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure (SAROMM). Through consultation with pediatric physiotherapists, the items were refined. Subsequently 25 children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP; 17 males, 8 females) with a mean age of 9 years 8 months (SD 4y 4mo), stratified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS, n=5 in each group), were recruited. Twenty-two children had spastic CP, and one each was also diagnosed with hypotonic, athetoid, and mixed CP. Three children had hemiplegia, 12 had diplegia, and 10 had quadriplegia. These participants were examined by two physiotherapists on one occasion and by the primary physiotherapist again two weeks later. The intraclass correlation coefficients reflecting interrater and test–retest reliabilities for the spine and range of motion subscales and the total scores were all above 0.80. Validity was supported by a significant contribution of GMFCS level and age to the SAROMM score (r²=0.44). The SAROMM has sufficient reliability and validity for use with children with CP in clinical and research settings by rehabilitation therapists.