Validity and reliability of the sitting assessment scale in cerebral palsy

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the SittingAssessment Scale (SAS) in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods: The study included 34 individuals with a diagnosis of spastic CP. Individualswere evaluated with the Gross Motor Function Classification System and the ManualAbility Classification System. SAS and Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) wereapplied to the participants. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated todetermine the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of the scale scored by threedifferent physiotherapists at two different time intervals. Internal consistency wascalculated with Cronbach's ⍺ coefficient. The fit between SAS and TCMS for criterion‐dependent validity was evaluated using Pearson Correlation Analysis.Results: According to the GMFCS level, 79.41% of the children were mildly(Level I‐II), 14.71% were moderately affected (level III), and 5.88% were severelyaffected (level IV). Intra > observer and interobserver reliability values of SAS wereextremely high (ICC interrater > 0.923, ICC intrarater > 0.930). It was observed that theinternal consistency of SAS had high values (Cronbach ⍺test > 0.822, Cronbach⍺retest > 0.804). For the criterion‐dependent reliability; positive medium correlationsfound between SAS with Total TCMS Static Sitting Balance (r = 0.579, p < 0.001),with TCMS Selective Movement Control (r = 0.597, p < 0.001), with TCMS DynamicReaching (r = 0.609, p < 0.001), and with TCMS Total (r = 0.619, p < 0.001).Conclusion: SAS was found to have high validity and reliability in children with CP. Inaddition, the test–retest reliability of the scale was also high. SAS is a practical toolthat can be used to assess sitting balance in children with CP.