title: Clinical tools that measure sitting posture, seated postural control or functional abilities in children with motor impairments: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify and critically appraise clinical measurement tools used to assess sitting posture, seated postural control or functional abilities for children with motor impairment who are candidates for seating interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Searches were run in 15 electronic databases along with hand searching. The search included articles published in English to December 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Key terms included: posture, sitting, sitting posture, seated posture, seated postural control, sitting position, seating, wheelchair(s), outcome and assess(ment). The PRISMA statement was followed with inclusion criteria set a priori. Two reviewers independently screened titles, reviewed abstracts and identified full-text articles that met criteria. Data extraction included tool description and clinical utility. Two quality-rating scales were used to evaluate conduct of the studies and psychometric properties of the tools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 497 titles found in the search, 29 full-text articles met the inclusion criteria and 19 tools were identified. Tools represented all components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY), with emphasis on body structure and function and activity components. Evidence supporting reliability and validity varied, with small sample sizes influencing quality ratings. Evidence of the tools' reliability was more prevalent than evidence of the tools' validity. Only four tools reported on responsiveness, an important consideration for evaluating change. Little information on clinical utility was provided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although a number of tools are available, evidence supporting their use for seating interventions is limited, as is the evidence supporting the strength of their measurement properties. Few tools address participation, environmental factors or the child's and family's perspective.
authors.affiliation: 1Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, Canada.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: Roslyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Livingstone
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014910:Wheelchairs
keywords: Measurement; child rehabilitation; posture; systematic review; wheelchair