Inter–intra observer reliability and validity of the Turkish version of Trunk Control Measurement Scale in children with cerebral palsy

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the inter and intra rater reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) for children with CP. Methods: Fifty children (21 girls and 29 boys; mean age 6.6 ± 2.3 years) with spastic, dyskinetic and ataxic types of CP were participated in the study. Children with Level I–II and III according to Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) were included into the study. All children were evaluated separately by two physiotherapists for interrater reliability and they re-evaluated for intra rater reliability. Gross Motor Function Measurement total score and B part were used for construct validity. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value of the inter-rater reliability for the Turkish TCMS was 95% CI (0.823–886), and the intra-rater reliability was 95% CI (0.986–0.992). The Spearman rank correlation coefficient between the Turkish TCMS and the Gross Motor Function Measure total score r: 0.827; p < 0.05 Part B was r: 0.863; p < 0.05. Conclusion: The results of the study support that the Turkish TCMS has a high inter and intra rater reliability and validity similar to the original version. Thus, the Turkish TCMS appears to be a suitable evaluation tool to assess the qualitative performance of trunk control and sitting balance for children with CP and it gives opportunity to use clinically and research purposes. Level of Evidence: Level III, Diagnostic Study.