scholarly journals Velocity dependent measure of spasticity: Reliability in children and juveniles with neuromotor disorders

Author(s):  
Petra Marsico ◽  
Victoria Frontzek-Weps ◽  
Hubertus J.A. van Hedel

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to create a clear, standardized test description to rate spasticity severity into four categories according to the definition given by Lance [1], referred to as the Velocity Dependent Measure of Spasticity (VDMS). METHOD: Muscle groups of the upper and lower limbs of children with neuromotor disorders were evaluated on their response to passive movement in a fast-versus slow-velocity test condition. The interrater and test-retest reliability were assessed using Gwet’s alpha one (95%-CI) and the percentage agreement. RESULTS: Two physiotherapists independently assessed 45 children and youths (age 4–19 years). The interrater reliability of the VDMS was substantial to almost perfect (Gwet’s alpha one: 0.66–0.99, n= 45) while the test-retest reliability was almost perfect as well (Gwet’s alpha one: 0.83–1.00, n= 42). CONCLUSION: The VDMS can be recommended as a reliable assessment with a standardized procedure to assess spasticity of the extremities in children with neuromotor disorders.

1998 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanne Desrosiers ◽  
François Prince ◽  
Annie Rochette ◽  
Michel Raîche

The objectives of this study were to standardize measurement procedures and study the test-retest and interrater reliability of the belt-resisted method for measuring the lower extremity isometric strength of three muscle groups. The strength of 33 healthy, elderly, community-dwelling subjects was evaluated with a hand-held dynamometer using the belt-resisted method. Isometric strength testing of three muscle groups (hip flexors, knee extensors, and ankle dorsiflexors) was performed on two separate occasions, I week apart, by the same tester to determine test-retest reliability. The test results of two different examiners testing on different days were used to determine interrater reliability. Test-retest reliability was higher than interrater reliability. Test-retest reliability coefficients of the three muscle groups were high (J9-.95). For interrater reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients varied from .64 to .92. depending on the muscle group and side. For the two kinds of reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients increased from proximal to distal. The method for the hip muscle group should be modified to increase reliability of the measure.


2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 540-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Burns ◽  
Anthony Redmond ◽  
Robert Ouvrier ◽  
Jack Crosbie

Background: Pes cavus foot deformity in neuromuscular disease is thought to be related to an imbalance of musculature around the foot and ankle. The most common cause of neurogenic pes cavus is Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. The aim of this investigation was to objectively quantify muscle strength and imbalance using hand-held dynamometry in patients diagnosed with CMT and pes cavus, compared to healthy controls. Methods: Muscles responsible for inversion, eversion, plantarflexion, and dorsiflexion of the foot and ankle were measured in 55 subjects (11 CMT patients with a frank pes cavus, and 44 healthy controls with normal feet) using the Nicholas hand-held dynamometer (HHD). Test-retest reliability of the HHD procedure also was determined for each of the four muscle groups in the healthy controls. Results: Test-retest reliability of the HHD procedure was excellent (ICC3,1 = 0.88 to 0.95) and the measurement error was low (SEM = 0.3 to 0.7 kg). Patients with CMT were significantly weaker than normal for all foot and ankle muscle groups tested ( p <0.001). Strength ratios of inversion-to-eversion and plantarflexion-to-dorsiflexion were significantly higher in the patients with CMT and pes cavus compared to individuals with normal foot types ( p > 0.01). Conclusions: Hand-held dynamometry is an objective and reliable instrument to measure muscle strength and imbalance in patients with CMT and a pes cavus foot deformity.


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas P Gross ◽  
Michele C Battié

Abstract Background and Purpose. Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) are measurement tools used in predicting readiness to return to work following injury. The interrater and test-retest reliability of determinations of maximal safe lifting during kinesiophysical FCEs were examined in a sample of people who were off work and receiving workers' compensation. Subjects. Twenty-eight subjects with low back pain who had plateaued with treatment were enrolled. Five occupational therapists, trained and experienced in kinesiophysical methods, conducted testing. Methods. A repeated-measures design was used, with raters testing subjects simultaneously, yet independently. Subjects were rated on 2 occasions, separated by 2 to 4 days. Analyses included intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and 95% confidence intervals. Results. The ICC values for interrater reliability ranged from .95 to .98. Test-retest values ranged from .78 to .94. Discussion and Conclusion. Inconsistencies in subjects' performance across sessions were the greatest source of FCE measurement variability. Overall, however, test-retest reliability was good and interrater reliability was excellent.


2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 745-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue-Mae Gan ◽  
Li-Chen Tung ◽  
Yue-Her Tang ◽  
Chun-Hou Wang

Background. Children with cerebral palsy often suffer from a lack of balance compared with typically developing children. Because balance capacity is relevant to functional activities, reliable and valid functional balance measures are crucial for the pediatric clinical setting. Objective. This study examined the reliability and validity of 3 functional balance measures. Methods. Thirty children aged 60 to 142 months with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels of I to IV were recruited. For test-retest reliability, the same physical therapist administered the Functional Reach Test (FRT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) twice. For interrater reliability, the testing processes were video recorded and later scored by another therapist. For convergent validity, children with cerebral palsy received the Gross Motor Function Measures (GMFM), walking speed, and 10-second sit-to-stand test within 1 week and the results evaluated. Results. The 3 functional balance measures had excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] >0.95) and interrater reliability (ICC = 0.98-1.00). With regard to convergent validity, the BBS and the TUG were highly correlated with GMFM total score, walking speed, and the 10-second sit-to-stand test. The discriminate validity indicates that the FRT can distinguish children with cerebral palsy with different GMFCS levels, whereas the BBS total score and TUG failed to distinguish between children with cerebral palsy with GMFCS levels of I and II. Conclusion. The 3 functional balance measures are simple, valid, and reliable for examining children with cerebral palsy and are thus suitable for clinical practice.


Assessment ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
David F. Tolin ◽  
Christina Gilliam ◽  
Bethany M. Wootton ◽  
William Bowe ◽  
Laura B. Bragdon ◽  
...  

Three hundred sixty-two adult patients were administered the Diagnostic Interview for Anxiety, Mood, and OCD and Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders (DIAMOND). Of these, 121 provided interrater reliability data, and 115 provided test–retest reliability data. Participants also completed a battery of self-report measures that assess symptoms of anxiety, mood, and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Interrater reliability of DIAMOND anxiety, mood, and obsessive-compulsive and related diagnoses ranged from very good to excellent. Test–retest reliability of DIAMOND diagnoses ranged from good to excellent. Convergent validity was established by significant between-group comparisons on applicable self-report measures for nearly all diagnoses. The results of the present study indicate that the DIAMOND is a promising semistructured diagnostic interview for DSM-5 disorders.


2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Shultz ◽  
Scott C. Anderson ◽  
Gordon O. Matheson ◽  
Brandon Marcello ◽  
Thor Besier

Context: The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a popular test to evaluate the degree of painful, dysfunctional, and asymmetric movement patterns. Despite great interest in the FMS, test-retest reliability data have not been published. Objective: To assess the test-retest and interrater reliability of the FMS and to compare the scoring by 1 rater during a live session and the same session on video. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Human performance laboratory in the sports medicine center. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 21 female (age = 19.6 ± 1.5 years, height = 1.7 ± 0.1 m, mass = 64.4 ± 5.1 kg) and 18 male (age = 19.7 ± 1.0 years, height = 1.9 ± 0.1 m, mass = 80.1 ± 9.9 kg) National Collegiate Athletic Association Division IA varsity athletes volunteered. Intervention(s): Each athlete was tested and retested 1 week later by the same rater who also scored the athlete's first session from a video recording. Five other raters scored the video from the first session. Main Outcome Measure(s): The Krippendorff α (K α) was used to assess the interrater reliability, whereas intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess the test-retest reliability and reliability of live-versus-video scoring. Results: Good reliability was found for the test-retest (ICC = 0.6), and excellent reliability was found for the live-versus-video sessions (ICC = 0.92). Poor reliability was found for the interrater reliability (K α = .38). Conclusions: The good test-retest and high live-versus-video session reliability show that the FMS is a usable tool within 1 rater. However, the low interrater K α values suggest that the FMS within the limits of generalization should not be used indiscriminately to detect deficiencies that place the athlete at greater risk for injury. The FMS interrater reliability may be improved with better training for the rater.


Crisis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabela E. Fedyszyn ◽  
Meredith G. Harris ◽  
Jo Robinson ◽  
Susan J. Paxton

Background: One methodological difficulty in research into suicide attempts and suicide is distinguishing these phenomena from nonsuicidal self-harming behaviors and accidents. This is problematic because a reliable assessment of the presence or absence of the outcome variable is fundamental for the validity of the findings. Aims: To develop a standardized rating system, the Classification Algorithm for the Determination of Suicide Attempt and Suicide (CAD-SAS), and to investigate its psychometric properties. Methods: To examine the test-retest reliability, one investigator rated 217 narratives of real-life self-harming incidents at initial assessment and 4 weeks later. To establish the interrater reliability, three independent raters assessed a random sample of 70 narratives using the CAD-SAS. To examine the validity, one investigator using the CAD-SAS compared ratings to clinical judgments made by a consultant psychiatrist without the CAD-SAS on the same random set of 70 narratives. Results: Test-retest reliability was excellent (97.2% agreement) and interrater reliability was substantial (70.0% agreement, κ = 0.70). Agreement in the classification of incidents with the “real-world” clinical judgments supports the validity of the CAD-SAS (64.3% agreement, κ = 0.46). Conclusions: The reliability and validity of future studies can be enhanced through the standardized assessment and classification of incidents.


2012 ◽  
Vol 201 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Killaspy ◽  
Sarah White ◽  
Tatiana L. Taylor ◽  
Michael King

BackgroundThe Mental Health Recovery Star (MHRS) is a popular outcome measure rated collaboratively by staff and service users, but its psychometric properties are unknown.AimsTo assess the MHRS's acceptability, reliability and convergent validity.MethodA total of 172 services users and 120 staff from in-patient and community services participated. Interrater reliability of staff-only ratings and test–retest reliability of staff-only and collaborative ratings were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Convergent validity between MHRS ratings and standardised measures of social functioning and recovery was assessed using Pearson correlation. The influence of collaboration on ratings was assessed using descriptive statistics and ICCs.ResultsThe MHRS was relatively quick and easy to use and had good test–retest reliability, but interrater reliability was inadequate. Collaborative ratings were slightly higher than staff-only ratings. Convergent validity suggests it assesses social function more than recovery.ConclusionsThe MHRS cannot be recommended as a routine clinical outcome tool but may facilitate collaborative care planning.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document