Functional Mobility Scale

Inter-rater Reliability:

Cerebral Palsy: (Graham et al., 2004; n=310, n (spastic hemiplegia) = 114, n (spastic diplegia) = 124, n (spastic quadriplegia) = 72; mean age = 11 (3.7), mean age (spastic hemiplegia) = 12 (3.6), mean age (spastic diplegia) = 12 (4.0), mean age (spastic quadriplegia) = 10 (3.7))

• Excellent inter-rater reliability for the three distances (5m, 50m, and 500m) between attending surgeon and research fellow

 Cerebral Palsy: (Harvey et al., 2010; n (total) = 118, n (2-6 year) = 16, n (6-12 years) = 66, n (12-18 years) = 36, n (GMFCS I) = 13, n(GMFCS II) = 49, n(GMFCS III) = 44, n(GMFCS IV) = 12; mean age (SD) = 10.3 (3.6); raters = hospital physiotherapist, community physiotherapist, and surgeon)

• Excellent correlations for independent ratings of mobility for the three distances (Kappa (95% Confidence Interval (CI)) and agreement (%):  5m = 0.87(0.74, 0.99) and 96%; 50m = 0.92(0.74, 1.00) and 98%; 500m = 0.86(0.68, 1.00) and 96%)
• Adequate to Excellent correlations for independent ratings for mobility for the three distances by age group

 Intra-rater Reliability:

Cerebral Palsy:  (Himuro et al., 2017; n (all participants) = 24, mean age 13 (2 y 4 mo); n=18 (spastic unilateral), n=3 (spastic bilateral), n=2 (dyskinetic), n=1 (ataxic); n (GMFCS level I) = 11, n (GMFCS level II) = 8, n (GMFCS level III) = 5; Japanese version rated twice with a 1-2 week interval between assessments)

• Adequate correlations for the independence ratings of mobility for the 5m (Kappa (95% CI) and agreement (%): 0.72(0.45, 0.99) and 83% agreement)
• Excellent correlations for the independence ratings of mobility for the 50m (Kappa (95% CI) and agreement (%): 0.87(0.68, 1.00) and 92% agreement)
• Excellent correlations for the independence ratings of mobility for the 500 m (Kappa (95% CI) and agreement (%): 0.76 (0.53, 0.99) and 83% agreement)

Cerebral Palsy: (Graham et al., 2004)

• Excellent internal consistency for the FMS-5 (Chronbach’s α= 0.95)
• Excellent internal consistency for the FMS-50 (Chronbach’s α= 0.94)
• Excellent internal consistency for the FMS-500 (Chronbach’s α= 0.96)

Concurrent validity:

Cerebral Palsy:  (Graham et al., 2004)

• Excellent correlation of the FMS with the PODCI (Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument), CHQ (Child Health Questionnaire), and Uptime
• Excellent correlation of the FMS with Rancho Scale
• Adequate correlation of the FMS with energy expenditure

 Cerebral Palsy: (Himuro et al., 2017; n (all participants) = 111, n (GMFCS level I) = 64, n (GMFCS level II) = 29, n (GMFCS level III) = 18; mean age (all participants) = 12 y 1 mo (± 3 y 7 mo), mean age (GMFCS level I) = 12 y 3 mo (3 y 8 mo), mean age (GMFCS level II) = 11 y 4 mo (3 y 7 mo), mean age (GMFCS level III) = 12 y 8 mo (3 y 2 mo); Japanese sample)

• Excellent correlation of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) for the three distances in the FMS:  FMS – 5m = -0.71; FMS – 50m = -0.73; FMS – 500m = -0.75 (correlation with p<0.01)

Predictive validity:

Cerebral Palsy:  (Wilson et al, 2014; n (all participants) = 143, n (GMFCS level I) = 44, n (GMFCS level II) = 75, n (GMFCS level III) = 24; mean age = 10.6 (3.2)

• 6MWT (6 Minute Walk Test) is a major independent predictor in the model for each FMS distance, with clear discrimination between parent-reported FMS scores of 5 versus 6 at all three FMS distances
• WS (walking speed) is a minor contributor to the predictive value for the FMS
• Topography of cerebral palsy contributed to predictive value at FMS 50 and 500, but not at FMS 5

Convergent validity:

Cerebral Palsy (spastic diplegia):  (Graham et al., 2004; n= 35 (subsample of original study population who underwent surgical intervention); mean age = 10.3 (2.3))

• Excellent ability to demonstrate difference between pre- and postoperative state and to detect improvement and decline in walking ability during rehabilitation.
• Excellent correlation for the FMS with Uptime (UT)
• Excellent correlation for the FMS with physical functioning domains of the PODCI
• Excellent correlation for the FMS with the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ)
• Adequate correlation for the FMS with energy expenditure as measured by oxygen cost (E)

 Cerebral Palsy (spastic): (Harvey et al, 2009; n (all participants) = 18, n (GMFCS level II) = 5, n (GMFCS level III) = 4, n (GMFCS level IV) = 9; mean age = 12 y 8 mo (±2y 8 mo); n (spastic quadriplegia) = 9, n (spastic diplegia) = 7, n (spastic hemiplegia) = 2)

• Excellent agreement was found between FMS parent-reported ratings and direct observation for all three distances (Kappa(95% CI) and agreement (%):  FMS 5m = 0.71 (0.41, 1.00) and 45%; FMS 50m = 0.76 (0.31, 1.00) and 94%; FMS 500m = 0.74 (0.33, 1.00) and 95%)

Cerebral Palsy:  (Graham et al., 2004)

• FMS differentiated children with varying degrees of walking ability that would typically be grouped under the same functional category using the Rancho Scale (RS).  All children with spastic hemiplegia were rated as community ambulators through the RS; however, some of these children scored a 4 on the FMS-500 scale.  This indicated occasional need for assistive devices (AD).
• Of the children with spastic diplegia rated as community ambulators on the RS, 24% required use of AD at 500m, 13% at 50m, and 5% at 5m. 
• Of the children with spastic quadriplegia rated as non-ambulators on the RS, all required wheelchairs at 500m, 77% required wheelchairs at 50m, and 69% required wheelchairs at 5m

Cerebral Palsy: (Harvey et al., 2007; n (all participants) = 66, n (GMFCS level I) = 18, n (GMFCS level II) = 24, n (GMFCS level III) = 24; mean age = 10 (2y 6mo); average procedures per child = 8 (range of 4-12 procedures)

• Excellent responsiveness at 3 mo postoperative, 6 mo postoperative, and 24 mo postoperative.  FMS showed decline immediately post-op then improved over 24 mo