Responsiveness of the Seated Postural Control Measure and the Level of Sitting Scale in children with neuromotor disorders

Purpose. Responsiveness of the Seated Postural Control Measure (SPCM) and the Level of Sitting Scale (LSS) was explored for children with neuromotor disorders. Total change scores for alignment (SPCM-A), function (SPCM-F) and sitting ability (LSS) were compared with a criterion change measure, the Global Change Scale (GCS). The a priori hypotheses predicted moderate correlations (r > 0.40). Method. Both SPCM and LSS were administered twice, 6 months apart. Parents and two therapists rated changes in alignment and function, and indicated importance of those changes on the GCS. Participants (n = 114) were divided into two groups: those whose posture was expected to change, (with a range of diagnoses) and those who were expected to remain stable (with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy). Ages ranged from 1 to18 years. Results. Fair-to-moderate significant correlations (p <= 0.01) were found between SPCM-F and LSS change scores and parents' and therapists' rating of change and importance of change on the GCS. Correlations for SPCM-A change scores were insignificant. The standardised response mean values for SPCM-F and LSS confirmed a minimal clinically important difference. Conclusions. SPCM-F shows promise as a responsive outcome measure, however; SPCM-A requires further work. LSS may be useful for evaluative purposes, in addition to its role as a classification index.