Test–re-test reproducibility of activity capacity measures for children with an acquired brain injury

Abstract

Objective: To determine test–re-test reproducibility of the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, 30-second repetition maximum (rep_max) of functional exercises, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and High-level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT) in children with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Secondarily, to assess the accuracy between hand-timed and video-timed scores for the TUG test and HiMAT.

Methods: Thirty children at least 1 year post-ABI (mean age at assessment = 11 years 11 months, SD = 2 years 4 months; 14 males; Gross Motor Function Classification Scale I = 17, II = 13) were assessed twice. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurement and minimum detectable change (MDC) were determined. The Bland-Altman method and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were used to assess the agreement between hand and video-timed TUG test and HiMAT scores.

Results: Test–re-test reproducibility was acceptable for the TUG test (ICC = 0.92; MDC = 1.2s); rep_max of functional exercises (ICC = 0.84–0.98; MDC = 4–8 reps); 6MWT (ICC = 0.90; MDC = 69.38 m) and HiMAT (ICC = 0.98; MDC = 6). Comparison of hand and video scores for the TUG test and HiMAT demonstrated a mean difference of 0.23 (LOA = –0.3–0.7) and –0.07 (LOA = –1.99–1.85), respectively.

Conclusions Test–re-test reproducibility of lower limb activity capacity measures in children with ABI are acceptable. The MDC scores provide a useful reference to interpret treatment effectiveness. Video timing was more accurate than hand-timing for the TUG test.

Keywords:

• Reproducibility
• reliability
• acquired brain injury
• children
• adolescents
• activity capacity

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Robert Ware for his contribution to data analysis. The authors would also like to thank Naomi Westwood (Allied Health Assistant) and Melinda Lewis (Study co-ordinator) for their contributions to recruitment and overall management of the study.

Declaration of interest

This study was financially supported by the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts Co-investment Fund, Financial Markets Foundation for Children, Queensland Government (RNB); The Aldred Charitable Endowment, Margaret Augusta Farrell, Williams HP Trust Fund, Love JS and The Jessica and Wallace Hore Foundation (FR2012/0796); Health Practitioner Research Scheme, Queensland Government; Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) (EB); National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellowship no. 1070623 (LB); National Health and Medical Research Council TRIP Fellowship no. 1036183, University of Queensland Postdoctoral Fellowship for Women (LS); NHMRC Career Development Fellowship Level 2, no. 1037220 (RNB). The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.