Validity and reliability of Ability for Basic Movement Scale for Children (ABMS-C) in disabled pediatric patients

The objective of this pilot study was to test the validity and reliability of a new scale, the Ability for Basic Movement Scale for Children (ABMS-C). A total of 45 pediatric patients with disabilities (aged 0.1–8.8 years; 29 males, 16 females) participated in this prospective study. To prove the validity and reliability of the ABMS-C, subjects were administered the ABMS-C at a 2-week interval. In addition to the ABMS-C score, data on age, diagnosis, and results of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) were recorded. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient analysis showed that the ability to perform basic movements according to the scores for each item and the total scores of the ABMS-C correlated significantly with the levels of the GMFCS (r = −0.628−0.784, p < 0.001). The five items on the ABMS-C had appropriate internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.944). Test–retest reliability analysis indicated that the “head control”, “sitting”, “locomotion on flat surface”, “standing” and “walking” items on the ABMS-C had almost perfect reliability (κ = 0.865−1.000). This study provides evidence for the validity and reliability of the ABMS-C with regard to assessment of functional ability in disabled pediatric patients.