The Gross Motor Performance Measure: Validity and Responsiveness of a Measure of Quality of Movement

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This article presents the results of a study to validate a measure of gross motor performance for its capacity to detect changes in the quality of movement in children with cerebral palsy aged 0 to 12 years. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: On two occasions, 4 to 6 months apart, physical therapists from three children's treatment centers assessed 106 children with cerebral palsy, 18 children who had sustained an acute head injury, and 29 nondisabled children. Validity was demonstrated by comparing changes on the measure across diagnoses, severity, and age groups. RESULTS: Several a priori hypotheses were supported; however, relationships with parent and therapist ratings were not clearly demonstrated. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The measure was found to be differentially responsive to changes in "stable" and "responsive" groups.