Tactile Assessment in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Clinimetric Review

Abstract

This review evaluates the clinimetric properties of tactile assessments for children with cerebral palsy. Assessment of registration was reported using Semmes Weinstein Monofilaments (SWMs) or exteroception. Assessment of two-point discrimination was reported using the Disk-Criminator R or paperclip methods; Single point localization and double simultaneous were reported from the Neurosensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA); graphaesthesia was reported from the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT); and stereognosis was assessed using Manual Form Perception from the SIPT and the Klingels method (Klingels, K. et al. (2010). Upper limb motor and sensory impairments in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Can they be measured reliably? Disability and Rehabilitation, 32(5), 409-416) and the Cooper method (Cooper, J., Majnemer, A., Rosenblatt, B., & Birnbaum, R. (1995). The determination of sensory deficits in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Journal of Child Neurology, 10,[300][301][302][303][304][305][306][307][308][309]. The SIPT and NSMDA demonstrated stronger content validity. Inter-rater reliability was excellent for SIPT (ICC = 0.99) and exteroception (k = 0.88). Test-retest reliability was excellent for exteroception (k = 0.89) and stereognosis (ICC = 0.86; 100%), moderate for SIPT (r = 0.69-0.74) and poor for SWM (k = 0.22). Together these assessments measure tactile registration and spatial perception. Temporal and textural tests are to be developed for comprehensive tactile examination.

Clinimetric properties of lower limb neurological impairment tests for children and young people with a neurological condition: A systematic review

“…In contrast to previous reviews [9,20,23,30,31,41], this study covers a broad paediatric age range and multiple neurological conditions. Recommendations for a clinimetrically-sound neurological test require a standardised test protocol with population-specific evidence, as clinimetric properties from other populations are not inherently transferable.…”

“…[23] Other systematic reviews have identified the lack of high quality clinimetric evidence for upper limb tests in children and young people with a neurological condition. [1,9] The clinimetric evidence for other lower limb neurological impairment tests for children and young people with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions remains unknown. Therefore, the aims of this study were to:…”

Assessment of Sensory Processing Characteristics in Children between 3 and 11 Years Old: A Systematic Review

“…We also excluded other tactile assessment tools designed for specific populations (36) and electroencephalography (EEG), which is used to diagnose SPDs (108). In addition, we excluded other instruments that are commercially available but for which scientific studies have not consulted databases on the psychometric properties of the tests employed or, in some cases, for which no standardized methods are provided for assessment.…”

“…In this respect, Auld et al review different clinically useful tools for the assessment of tactile SI, especially for evaluating registration and perception (36). In addition, it could be interesting to develop new assessments of pain for children.…”

Construct validity and responsiveness of the functional Tactile Object Recognition Test for children with cerebral palsy

“…Movement of an object across the skin by an examiner has been found to achieve success equivalent to a child performing the exploration themselves (Cermak, ). Recent studies have recommended removing the need for in‐hand manipulation when testing children who cannot move the object themselves (Auld et al .). This supports our use of standardised motor‐assisted haptic exploration as a strategy to compensate for the neurological and/or musculoskeletal impairments experienced by children with CP that may restrict in‐hand manipulation and expected exploratory procedures.…”