Reliability of the Gross Motor Function Classification System-Expanded and Revised in children with cerebral palsy aged less than 6 years by physical therapy students

Abstract

Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded and Revised (GMFCS-E&R) is a reliable classification system for physical therapists.  Previous study found moderate reliability of using GMFCS in children with cerebral palsy aged less than 2 years. It is difficult for inexperienced clinicians to assess the gross motor development in young children. In physical therapy academic and clinical practice, physical therapy students have learned to use the GMFCS–E&R to classify children with cerebral palsy. However, there is no report of reliability of the Thai version of GMFCS-E&R in children with cerebral palsy aged less than 6 years by physical therapy students. The objective of this study was to examine the reliability of the Thai GMFCS–E&R for children with cerebral palsy aged less than 6 years by undergraduate physical therapy students. Methods: Six undergraduate physical therapy students used the GMFCS–E&R Thai version to classify 58 children with cerebral palsy aged less than 6 years from video recordings. These children with cerebral palsy were recruited from special education centers, the Home for Disabled Babies in Nonthaburi province, and a hospital. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were reported for the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the Thai GMFCS–E&R. Results: The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability revealed moderate to excellent reliability. Intra-rater reliability revealed ICC values ranging from 0.68 to 0.97. Inter-rater reliability is presented by ICC values of more than 0.80. Conclusion: Undergraduate physical therapy students can reliably classify motor function of young children with cerebral palsy using the GMFCS–E&R Thai version.