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. 2011 Aug;44(2):246-51.
doi: 10.1002/mus.22040. Epub 2011 Jun 22.

Reliability of the Modified Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale in young children with spinal muscular atrophy

Kristin J Krosschell  1 , Charles B Scott, Jo Anne Maczulski, Aga J Lewelt, Sandra P Reyna, Kathryn J Swoboda; Project Cure SMA
Affiliations

Reliability of the Modified Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale in young children with spinal muscular atrophy

Kristin J Krosschell et al. Muscle Nerve. 2011 Aug.

Abstract

Introduction: The test-retest reliability of the Modified Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (MHFMS) in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) ≤30 months of age was assessed. The age at which typically developing children (TD) achieve maximum MHFMS scores was also studied.

Methods: Twenty-two children with SMA type II [mean age (SD) = 20 (5) months, range 9-30 months) were tested twice using the MHFMS. Twenty-five TD children [mean age (SD) = 18 (7) months, range 9-30 months) were tested once.

Results: The average difference between MHFMS scores for SMA children was 0.18 [first assessment: mean (SD) = 12.8 (9.8); second assessment: mean (SD) = 13.0 (8.8)]. Reliability was excellent (ICC(1,3) = 0.96, SEM 1.86). TD participants had MHFMS scores ranging from 36 to 40 [mean (SD) = 39.2 (1.2)] and achieved maximum test scores at 12 months of age.

Discussion: MHFMS scores in young children with SMA type II showed excellent test-retest stability. This suggests that the MHFMS can be used reliably in this younger population for clinical trials and follow-up.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Bivariate Fit of Score of first visit by score from second visit in SMA Type II patients ≤ 30 months.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Modified Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale scores in typically developing children. Scores ≥ 39 indicate that subjects were able to perform all test items.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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