Psychometric evaluation of the Posture and Postural Ability Scale for children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

The Posture and Postural Ability Scale shows high psychometric properties for children with cerebral palsy, as previously seen when evaluated for adults. It enables detection of postural deficits and asymmetries indicating potential need for support and where it needs to be applied.

Postural asymmetries, pain, and ability to change position of children with cerebral palsy in sitting and supine: a cross-sectional study

“…The participants' posture and ability to maintain or change position were rated by their local physiotherapist according to the Posture and Postural Ability Scale (PPAS) [5,25] in sitting and supine positions. The PPAS has excellent inter-rater reliability and validity for children and adults with CP [5,25]. Quality of posture is rated with six items from the frontal view and six items from the sagittal view, where postural alignment and symmetry gives 1 point per item while asymmetry or deviation from midline gives 0 points.…”

Physical Therapy Intervention for a Child With Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome: A Case Report

“…Scores for each item range from 0 (asymmetry) to 1 (symmetry) giving a total alignment score ranging from 0 to 6 in each plane, where higher scores indicate better alignment. 22 The Posture and Postural Ability Scale was designed to assess posture in individuals of all ages with lower levels of gross motor function who were not able to sit or walk independently. Psychometric properties have been evaluated in children with cerebral palsy and found satisfactory with regard to validity and reliability.…”

“…Psychometric properties have been evaluated in children with cerebral palsy and found satisfactory with regard to validity and reliability. 22 However, the change in score required to indicate true change has not yet been established. The Posture and Postural Ability Scale was chosen because it was a measure familiar to the first author and it is the only clinical assessment tool designed to assess quality and "quantity" of posture separately.…”

“…The Posture and Postural Ability Scale was chosen because it was a measure familiar to the first author and it is the only clinical assessment tool designed to assess quality and "quantity" of posture separately. 22 Mobility and social skills were evaluated by using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory 23 and the Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life With Disabilities. 24 The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory is a parental interview which evaluates the function of disabled children aged 6 months to 7.5 years in 3 domains: self-care, mobility, and social function.…”

“…Assessments were carried out at 3 weeks before the start of the intervention (baseline) when the child was 16 months + 1 week of age, at the start of the intervention (preintervention) at 17 months of age, at the end of the intervention (postintervention) at 18 months + 2 weeks of age, and at 3 weeks after the end of the intervention (follow-up) at 19 months + 1 week of age. Postural control was evaluated by using the Posture and Postural Ability Scale, 22 which measures the level of postural ability (“quantity” of posture) and alignment (quality of posture) in the frontal and sagittal plane in 4 different positions: supine, prone, sitting, and standing. Postural ability refers to the stabilizing of body segments relative to each other and the supporting surface.…”