Reliability and validity of the TIMPSI for infants with spinal muscular atrophy type I

Pediatr Phys Ther. 2013 Summer;25(2):140-8; discussion 149. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0b013e31828a205f.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the reliability and validity of the Test of Infant Motor Performance Screening Items (TIMPSI) in infants with type I spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Methods: After training, 12 evaluators scored 4 videos of infants with type I SMA to assess interrater reliability. Intrarater and test-retest reliability was further assessed for 9 evaluators during a SMA type I clinical trial, with 9 evaluators testing a total of 38 infants twice. Relatedness of the TIMPSI score to ability to reach and ventilatory support was also examined.

Results: Excellent interrater video score reliability was noted (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.97-0.98). Intrarater reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.91-0.98) and test-retest reliability ranged from r = 0.82 to r = 0.95. The TIMPSI score was related to the ability to reach (P ≤ .05).

Conclusion: The TIMPSI can reliably be used to assess motor function in infants with type I SMA. In addition, the TIMPSI scores are related to the ability to reach, an important functional skill in children with type I SMA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Motor Skills
  • Observer Variation
  • Physical Therapy Modalities*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood / rehabilitation
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors