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Stability of the Gross Motor Function Classification System
Author(s) -
Palisano Robert J,
Cameron David,
Rosenbaum Peter L,
Walter Stephen D,
Russell Dianne
Publication year - 2006
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/j.1469-8749.2006.tb01290.x
Subject(s) - stability (learning theory) , gross motor skill , function (biology) , control theory (sociology) , mathematics , artificial intelligence , computer science , biology , machine learning , neuroscience , motor skill , control (management) , evolutionary biology
The aim of this study was to assess the stability of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) by examining whether children with cerebral palsy (CP) remain in the same level over time. Participants were 610 children with CP (342 males, 268 females; mean age 6y 9mo [SD 2y 10mo]), range 16mo‐13y). Children were assessed 2 to 7 times (mean 4.3) at 6‐month (children <6y old) or 12‐month (children ≥6y old) intervals. Seventy‐three per cent of children remained in the same level for all ratings. The weighted kappa coefficient between the first and last ratings was 0.84 for children less than 6 years old and 0.89 for children at least 6 years old, indicating excellent chance‐corrected agreement. Children initially classified in Levels I and V were least likely to be reclassified. There was a tendency for children younger than 6 years who were reclassified to be done so to a lower level of ability. The results provide evidence of stability of the GMFCS.