title: Development and Initial Validation of the Pediatric Neuromuscular Recovery Scale.
abstract: The Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (NRS) was developed to assess the capacity of adults' post-spinal cord injury (SCI) to perform functional tasks without compensation. Application of the NRS to children has been challenging. The purpose of this study was to develop and complete the initial validation of a pediatric version of the NRS.
  
  
  
  First, the investigative team developed a draft Pediatric NRS. Next, a Delphi method was used to amend the draft by 12 pediatric experts. Finally, the revised Pediatric NRS was field-tested on a sample of children with SCI (n = 5) and without (n = 7).
  
  
  
  After the Delphi process and field testing, the Pediatric NRS consists of 13 items scored on a 12-point scale. All items, except 1, achieved 80% agreement by experts.
  
  
  
  This is the first step in development and validation of a pediatric SCI scale that evaluates neuromuscular capacity, in the context of pediatric function, without compensation.
authors.affiliation: Doctor of Physical Therapy Program-Austin (Dr Ardolino), University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Austin, Texas; Jefferson School of Health Professions (Dr Mulcahey), Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Kosair Charities Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery (Ms Trimble and Dr Argetsinger), Frazier Rehab Institute, Louisville, Kentucky; Shriners Hospitals for Children (Drs Bienkowski and Mullen), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Department of Neurological Surgery (Dr Behrman), University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ardolino
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mulcahey
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trimble
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Argetsinger
authors.forename: Marci
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bienkowski
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mullen
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Behrman
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020127:Recovery of Function; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*