The Trunk Control Measurement Scale: reliability and discriminative validity in children and young people with neuromotor disorders

AimThis study investigated the intra- and interrater reliability of the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) German version, with its subscores, in children with neuromotor disorders. Further, the discriminative validity of the TCMS was assessed by comparing the TCMS scores with the Functional Independence Measure for children. MethodBland-Altman analyses and intraclass correlation coefficients were applied to investigate reliability. The discriminative ability of the TCMS was evaluated with receiver operating characteristics. ResultsNinety children (mean age 11y 5mo; range 5y-18y 11mo) participated for the reliability, and 50 for the discriminative validity study. The reliability proved to be excellent (intrarater: bias=0.57 points, 95% confidence interval [CI] -3.71 to 4.85; interrater: bias=-0.31 points, 95% CI -5.77 to 5.10). A change in the TCMS total score of six points (10%) can be considered a true change. The TCMS subscores appeared to be clinically relevant because children with less than around 80% of the static balance score, less than 55% of the dynamic reaching score, or less than around 35% of the selective movement control score needed support for daily life activities. InterpretationThe TCMS is a reliable and clinically relevant assessment for children aged 5 years and older with different neurological impairments. What this paper adds The Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) is highly reliable in children with various neuromotor disorders. The TCMS is reliable in children aged 5 years and older. Measurement errors of TCMS total and subscores allow for the interpretation of longitudinal changes. The TCMS subscores are relevant concerning daily life, mobility, and self-care. This article is commented on by Saavedra on page 671 of this issue.