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Reliability and practicability of the straight leg raise test in children with cerebral palsy
Author(s) -
Marsico Petra,
TalAkabi Amir,
Van Hedel Hubertus J A
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.12797
Subject(s) - biceps , cerebral palsy , straight leg raise , intraclass correlation , medicine , range of motion , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , test (biology) , inter rater reliability , muscle tension , biceps femoris muscle , hip flexion , psychology , rating scale , developmental psychology , psychometrics , clinical psychology , paleontology , biology
Aim Preventing restrictions to lower limb movement is part of the treatment given to children with cerebral palsy ( CP ). Such restrictions can be assessed using the ‘straight leg raise’ ( SLR ) test. This study investigated the interrater reliability and practicability of the SLR test in children with CP . Method Experienced physiotherapists examined 23 children with CP (6–18y; eight females, 15 males) twice. The SLR hip range of motion ( ROM ) was measured using an electrogoniometer, and the test was rated based on sensitizing manoeuvres and biceps femoris muscle activity. Practicability was investigated by evaluating children's subjective feedback on the tolerable ROM . Results Intraclass correlation coefficients for the SLR hip ROM varied, ranging from 0.84 (95% CI 0.61–0.93) to 0.93 (95% CI 0.87–0.96). Physiotherapists substantially agreed on SLR ratings (Cohen's kappa=0.73). Biceps femoris muscle activity decreased significantly with the release of tension on the sciatic nerve. All children were able to communicate the location and sensation of the maximally tolerated position. Interpretation The SLR test proved to be reliable and practicable in children with CP and might improve clinical reasoning processes. Lower limb movement restrictions in these children may partly be related to limitations in sciatic nerve mobility. Further studies should investigate if the SLR test could estimate activities in children with CP .