Psychometric evaluation of the functional walking test for children withcerebral palsy

Abstract

Purpose. This study examined the psychometric properties of the functional walking test (FWT).

Method. Fifty-six subjects with cerebral palsy (CP) (21 females and 35 males, mean age 9 years 6 months, SD 3 years 9months, range 4–17 years) were assessed on two occasions, 6 months apart, using both the FWT and the gross motor function measure (GMFM).

Results. Generalisability correlation coefficients (GCC) for all 11 items were high (0.91–0.99). Inter-rater reliability was also high with excellent consensus in the scores given by the eight raters (intra-class correlation coefficient and GCC 0.99). Intra-rater reliability was equally high (GCC 0.99). The internal consistency of the FWT was estimated using Cronbach's α as 0.95 and 0.94 at Time 1 and 2, respectively. The FWT had a high degree of correlation with the GMFM, when total scores were compared at Time 1 and 2 (Pearson's r  ==  0.86 and 0.87, n  ==  56, p  <  0.01). The FWT also found statistically significant differences in total scores between the three Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. The correlation between the FWT scores and GMFCS was −0.70 at Time 1 and −0.76 Time 2 (p  <  0.01) indicating the construct validity of the FWT.

Conclusions. This study has demonstrated that the FWT has sound psychometric properties and is valid and reliable in a sample population of ambulant children with CP.

Keywords:

• Cerebral palsy
• children
• functional walking test

Acknowledgements

The creation and initial development of the FWT is credited to Ann Jenkinson, Central Remedial Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.

Declaration of interest: This study was completed as part of an MSc (Research) degree undertaken by AQ. Funding for the MSc was provided by the Chartered Physiotherapists in Paediatrics clinical interest group of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and the Research Trust of the Central Remedial Clinic, Dublin. The funders had no involvement in the study design, data collection or analysis.