Reliability of Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is the most frequent cause of physical disability in childhood due to permanent movement and posture development disorders and secondary musculoskeletal problems. The Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure (SAROMM) assess postural deviations and trunk extensibility. This is a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample to evaluate the reliability of SAROMM and to validate its use in clinical practice. In total, 50 children participated in Stage 1 (video evaluation, with and without the instruction manual), and 25 children participated in Stage 2 (in-person evaluation). In Stage 1, the intra-examiner reliability showed almost perfect agreement in all domains (κ ranging from 0.98 to 1.0), except ankle, with a moderate agreement (κ=0.62). Inter-examiner reliability without using the manual showed no agreement (κ ranging from −0.00 to 0.10); with the use of the manual showed weak agreement in all domains (κ from 0.41 to 0.59), except ankle, which showed a minimal agreement (κ=0.20). In Stage 2, inter-examiner reliability showed almost perfect agreement in all domains (κ ranging from 0.93 to 0.97). SAROMM has excellent intra- and inter-examiner reliability, and in-person assessment with the instructions manual is essential.