ABSTRACT
The Gross Motor Function Classification System has been reliable to classify the gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy (CP); however, the reliability of the Portuguese version (Brazil) is not entirely established in the country, especially among different health professionals and undergraduate students. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the Portuguese version (Brazil) of the GMFCS E&R by students and health professionals (physical and occupational therapists), with different levels of experience. The gross motor function of 30 children with CP between 4 and 18 years was filmed, accompanied by the neurology service or rehabilitation of a hospital in São Paulo's countryside. The videos were sent to students of a public university and to physical (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) professionals that composed three groups (Group 1: 1 PT and 1 OT with more than 5 years of experience in neurology; Group 2: 1 PT and 1 OT with up to two years of experience; Group 3: an undergraduate student of PT and 1 of OT). The kappa coefficient was used to evaluate reliability among the groups. Almost perfect agreement was obtained in Group 1 [K=0.83; 95%CI (0.68-0.98)] and substantial was obtained in groups 2 and 3 [K=0.79; 95%CI (0.63-0.95) and K=0.67; 95%CI (0.48-0.86), respectively]. The GMFCS E&R proved reliable for use by health professionals of different areas and levels of experience, including undergraduate students, helping them to understand the heterogeneity of CP.
Keywords:
Cerebral palsy; Reproducibility of Results