Functional Reach as a Measurement of Balance for Children with Lower Extremity Spasticity

Abstract

Children with lower extremity spasticity frequently exhibit balance deficits. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine if the Functional Reach Test is a reliable measure of balance for children with lower extremity spasticity, (2) to determine the optimal number of measurement trials per child necessary to ensure reliability, and (3) to obtain data of mean functional reach values and compare them to the study by Donahoe et al.¹ of children without disabilities in the same age groups. Functional reach was assessed on 32 children with lower extremity spasticity between the ages of 5 and 15 years. Reach was recorded by measuring the initial-most and forward-most reach positions of the subject's extended arm parallel to a yardstick attached to the wall. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 2,1) showed high intrarater reliability within a single session and between sessions, .94 and .87 respectively. P-values were .84 within a session and .14 between sessions. Standard error of measure (SEM = SD √1−ICC) was 3.05 cm. Preliminary mean reach values increased with age and were lower than mean reach values obtained by Donahoe et al. in children without disabilities. Clinically, one practice and one test trial are recommended to determine functional reach. We concluded that functional reach is a useful measure of balance for the pediatric clinican and is easily performed by children with lower extremity spasticity.