Construct Validity of the Activities Scale for Kids Performance in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Brief Report

Aims This study collects evidence of construct convergent validity of the Activity Scale for Kids performance (ASKp), comparing its results with the 66-item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) and with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and testing the ASKp's ability to discriminate between individuals with different functional capabilities. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 60 children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) assessed with the GMFM-66 who self-administered the Italian version of the ASKp. Results Children were 10.9 (+/- 3) years old with GMFCS Level I-III. Moderate correlations were found between GMFM and ASKp scores (r = 0.577;p< .001), and between GMFCS levels and ASKp score (r(s) = -0.541,p< .001). The ASKp discriminated between children with different functional capabilities, determined by the GMFCS (F = 18.2,p< .001). Conclusions ASKp is valid to assess physical functioning, a crucial domain in rehabilitation of children with spastic CP.