Responsiveness of the Seated Postural Control Measure and the Level of Sitting Scale in children with neuromotor disorders

Abstract

Purpose: Responsiveness of the Seated Postural Control Measure (SPCM) and the Level of Sitting Scale (LSS) was explored for children with neuromotor disorders. Total change scores for alignment (SPCM-A), function (SPCM-F) and sitting ability (LSS) were compared with a criterion change measure, the Global Change Scale (GCS). The a priori hypotheses predicted moderate correlations (r>0.40).

Method: Both SPCM and LSS were administered twice, 6 months apart. Parents and two therapists rated changes in alignment and function, and indicated importance of those changes on the GCS. Participants (n=114) were divided into two groups: those whose posture was expected to change, (with a range of diagnoses) and those who were expected to remain stable (with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy). Ages ranged from 1 to 18 years.

Results: Fair-to-moderate significant correlations (p ≤0.01) were found between SPCM-F and LSS change scores and parents' and therapists' rating of change and importance of change on the GCS. Correlations for SPCM-A change scores were insignificant. The standardised response mean values for SPCM-F and LSS confirmed a minimal clinically important difference.

Conclusions: SPCM-F shows promise as a responsive outcome measure, however; SPCM-A requires further work. LSS may be useful for evaluative purposes, in addition to its role as a classification index.