The Montréal Rehabilitation Performance Profile: a statistical model for assessing stair descent in children with cognitive impairments.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the responsiveness of the Montréal Rehabilitation Performance Profile (MRPP); to measure the differential effectiveness of a task-specific (TS) and a task-nonspecific (TNS) motor learning format to promote alternating stair descent in children with cognitive impairments; and to evaluate the relevance of the MRPP to evidence-based practice.


METHODS
Randomized comparison of 2 age-matched groups; psychometric testing of measurement tool.


METHODS
School for children with developmental and cognitive impairments.


METHODS
Ambulatory sample of convenience: 18 children, age 5 to 9 years, with moderate to severe cognitive impairment.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The MRPP variables measured at baseline; end of 10-week intervention; and 5 and 10 weeks postintervention. Analysis of variance for repeated measures and part-whole correlation.


RESULTS
Global stair descent performance improved for both TS and TNS groups over time (P=.001). However, a specific acquisition and retention of the alternating pattern of descent was associated with the TS format.


CONCLUSIONS
The MRPP was responsive to small differences in stair descent performance that are specific to the format of the motor learning intervention. The MRPP allows clinicians to determine the timing of the intervention needed to maintain or improve stair descent ability.
Pelland
Lucie C
LC
Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada. Lpelland@uottawa.ca
McKinley
Patricia A
PA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011594:Psychometrics; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis