Development and Initial Validation of the Pediatric Neuromuscular Recovery Scale

Abstract

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.

Activity-Based Therapy Targeting Neuromuscular Capacity After Pediatric-Onset Spinal Cord Injury

“…These instruments compare the current neuromuscular capacity of a patient performing a specific task to a reference of typical movement patterns used to accomplish a task, whether preinjury or development-associated. 14,18 The Pediatric NRS was adapted from the adult Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (NRS). 18,[40][41][42][43][44] Content validity 14 and good interrater reliability 45 have been determined for children 2-12 years old.…”

“…While responsiveness of the SATCo for the pediatric population post SCI has been established and shown to have a significantly larger effect size 16 compared to other typical trunk control and balance measures (eg, modified functional reach, Berg Balance Test), content validity 14 and interrater reliability 45 have been determined for the Pediatric NRS. The adult NRS, also applied to adolescents older than 13 years old, has been tested and determined to have good test-retest reliability, 40 good interrater reliability, 41 responsiveness in the outpatient setting, 43 and validity.…”

“…Two pediatric-specific instruments, the Pediatric Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (Pediatric NRS) 14 and the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo), 15,16 assess, even as proxy measures, a child's neuromuscular capacity within clinical demonstration of functional tasks. Similar to the Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensation and Prehension (GRASSP), 5 the Pediatric †Deceased Supplementary material: The online version of this article contains eAppendix A.…”

Activity-Based Therapy: From Basic Science to Clinical Application for Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury

“…20 The Peds NRS is similar in concept to the adult NRS in that it disallows compensation. The content validation of the Peds NRS was established through the use of a Delphi process.…”

“…The content validation of the Peds NRS was established through the use of a Delphi process. 20 An inter-rater reliability study among clinicians completing on-line standardized training in use of the Peds NRS and rating children with SCI aged 2 to 12 years was recently completed and results are forthcoming. Future investigations for both the adult NRS and the Peds NRS include further analysis of the psychometric properties and responsiveness of the Peds NRS.…”