Bimanual Capacity of Children With Cerebral Palsy: Intra- and Interrater Reliability of a Revised Edition of the Bimanual Fine Motor Function Classification

Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2017 Aug;37(3):239-251. doi: 10.1080/01942638.2016.1185507. Epub 2016 Aug 26.

Abstract

Aims: To develop a revised edition of the Bimanual Fine Motor Function (BFMF 2), as a classification of fine motor capacity in children with cerebral palsy (CP), and establish intra- and interrater reliability of this edition.

Methods: The content of the original BFMF was discussed by an expert panel, resulting in a revised edition comprising the original description of the classification levels, but in addition including figures with specific explanatory text. Four professionals classified fine motor function of 79 children (3-17 years; 45 boys) who represented all subtypes of CP and Manual Ability Classification levels (I-V). Intra- and inter-rater reliability was assessed using overall intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and Cohen's quadratic weighted kappa.

Results: The overall ICC was 0.86. Cohen's weighted kappa indicated high intra-rater (кw: >0.90) and inter-rater (кw: >0.85) reliability.

Conclusions: The revised BFMF 2 had high intra- and interrater reliability. The classification levels could be determined from short video recordings (<5 minutes), using the figures and precise descriptions of the fine motor function levels included in the BFMF 2. Thus, the BFMF 2 may be a feasible and useful classification of fine motor capacity both in research and in clinical practice.

Keywords: Bimanual fine motor function; capacity; cerebral palsy; classification; hand function; reliability.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cerebral Palsy / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Hand / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Skills / physiology*
  • Observer Variation
  • Reproducibility of Results