The validity and reliability of the Turkish version of functional mobility scale in patients with cerebral palsy

Aim: The aim of our study is to prepare the Turkish version of Functional Mobility Scale and to carry out validity and reliability studies in patients with cerebral palsy. Methods:100 patients who admitted to our outpatient clinic with cerebral palsy, aged between 2 and 18 years, were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of the patients and the status of cerebral palsy disease were evaluated. Functional assessment work up was continued with the scales Functional Mobility Scale (FMS), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Gillet Functional Assessment Questionnaire Walking Scale. For the test-retest reliability, 54 patients were reevaluated 1 week later and the FMS questionnaire was reviewed again. The reliability and validity was evaluated by Spearman correlation analysis. Cohen's weighted kappa values were also analysed. Results:Test-retest reliability for FMS was evaluated by weighted kappa and the kappa coefficient was found > 0.81, in all three distances. This result showed that the Turkish version of the FMS questionnaire showed very good consistency. Correlation coefficent r was found >-0.81 in all three distances interpretted as statistically significant highly negative correlation between FMS and GMFCS. (P<0.001) Correlation coefficent r was found >0.81 in all three distances interpretted as statistically significant highly positive correlation between FMS and Gillet. (P<0.001) Conclusion: In our study, Turkish version of FMS has been shown to provide valid and reliable measurement for functional evaluation in patients with cerebral palsy for Turkish population. Key words: Cerebral palsy, functional assesment