AUTHOR=Zhou Chunming , Chen Yijing , Zeng Wenhui , Huang Wujie , Wu Xuefei , Wang Yating , Zhong Jiamin , Cao Jianguo , Huang Meihuan 

TITLE=Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the selective control assessment of the lower extremity in children with spastic cerebral palsy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2024.1458066

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2024.1458066

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE) in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods: Forty-five children with spastic CP (mean age 7.29 years, SD 2.87 years，rang 4 - 16 years) were recruited. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's α, while test-retest and inter-rater reliability were evaluated using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Construct validity was established through correlation and confirmatory factor analyses. Discriminative validity was assessed by comparing SCALE scores across varying GMFCS levels.
Results: The Chinese version of SCALE demonstrates high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91) and good reliability with ICCs exceeding 0.76 for test-retest and inter-rater assessments. It shows significant correlations with GMFCS (r = -0.76, P < 0.001) and Fugl-Meyer scales (r = 0.79, P < 0.001), confirming its validity. Confirmatory factor analysis supports a well-fitting model (χ²/df = 1.58, RMSEA = 0.08, SRMR < 0.001, GFI = 0.98, AGFI = 0.90, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.98), with the latent variable's AVE at 0.59 and CR at 0.88. Discriminative validity is evident in significant differences across GMFCS levels (p < 0.001), notably between levels I and II, I and Ⅲ, and I and Ⅳ (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The Chinese version of SCALE shows good reliability and validity for assessing lower limb selective movement control in children with spastic cerebral palsy in China.