Physical Therapy Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2018
Journal
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Volume
60
Issue
10
First Page
1026
Last Page
1032
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.13903
Abstract
AIM: To determine the stability of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) over 1-year and 2-year intervals using a process for consensus classification between parents and therapists.
METHOD: Participants were 664 children with cerebral palsy (CP), 18 months to 12 years of age, one of their parents, and 90 therapists. Consensus between parents and therapists on level of function was ≥92% for the GMFCS, MACS, and CFCS. A linearly weighted kappa coefficient of ≥0.75 was the criterion for stability.
RESULTS: Kappa coefficients varied from 0.76 to 0.88 for the GMFCS, 0.59 to 0.73 for the MACS, and 0.57 to 0.77 for the CFCS. For children younger than 4 years of age, level of function did not change for 58.2% on the GMFCS, 30.3% on the MACS, and 39.3% on the CFCS. For children 4 years of age or older, level of function did not change for 72.3% on the GMFCS, 49.1% on the MACS, and 55% on the CFCS.
INTERPRETATION: The findings support repeated classification of children over time. The kappa coefficients for the GMFCS are attributed to descriptions of levels for each age band. Consensus classification facilitates discussion between parents and professionals that has implications for shared decision-making.
WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: The findings support repeated classification of children over time. Stability was higher for the Gross Motor Function Classification System than the Manual Ability Classification System and Communication Function Classification System. The function of younger children was more likely to be reclassified. Percentage agreement between parents and therapists using consensus classification varied from 92% to 97%. The intraclass correlation coefficient overestimated stability compared with the weighted kappa coefficient.
Notes
"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Palisano RJ, Avery L, Gorter JW, Galuppi B, Westcott-McCoy S (2018). Stability of the gross motor function, manual ability, and communication function classification systems. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 60(10), 1026-1032, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.13903. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions."
This article is emerged from research conducted by the On Track Study Team, which includes Dr. Doreen Bartlett, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University.
The On Track Study was funded by: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, MOP-119276 and The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, CE-12-11-5321.