title: Reliability of retrospective assignment of gross motor function classification system scores.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess "alternate forms" reliability and inter-rater reliability of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty randomly selected children with cerebral palsy were divided into two groups: (1) GMFCS score assigned during gait assessment ("GMFCS previously assigned") and (2) no GMFCS score assigned. Using database information, two physiotherapists independently determined GMFCS scores for 25 children from the "previously assigned" group, and 25 from the "no score assigned" group. Therapists compared their recently assigned scores for the "previously assigned" group, discussing discrepancies until attaining agreement. This group's consensus scores were compared to GMFCS scores assigned at time of actual assessment to calculate "alternate forms" reliability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between-therapist agreements were kappa = 0.84 for "GMFCS previously assigned" group and 0.95 for "no GMFCS assigned" group. Kappa agreement between direct assessment and retrospectively assigned scores for the "GMFCS previously assigned" group was 0.79.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retrospective GMFCS scores can be reliably assigned.
authors: Shriners Gait Lab, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. tmayson@cw.bc.ca
authors: T A
authors: TA
authors: Mayson
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Ward
authors: K R
authors: KR
authors: Davies
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Maurer
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Alvarez
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Beauchamp
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Black
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000145:classification* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000145:classification*; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index