Concurrent and predictive validity of the Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children in preterm infants

Psychometric properties of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and culturally adapted or translated versions when used for infant populations internationally: A systematic review

AIM

To systematically review the psychometric properties of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) when used for infant populations internationally, defined as infants not living in Canada, where the normative sample was established.

METHOD

Seven databases were searched for studies that informed the psychometric properties of the AIMS and culturally adapted or translated versions in non-Canadian infant cohorts.

RESULTS

Forty-nine studies reported results from 11 663 infants representing 22 countries. Country-specific versions of the AIMS are available for Brazilian, Polish, Serbian, Spanish, and Thai infant cohorts. Country-specific norms were introduced for Brazilian, Dutch, Polish, and Thai cohorts. The original Canadian norms were appropriate for Brazilian, Greek, and Turkish cohorts. Across countries, the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the AIMS was generally sufficient, except for predictive validity. Sufficient structural validity was found in one study, responsiveness in one study, discriminant validity in four of four studies, concurrent validity in 14 of 16 studies, reliability in 26 of 26 studies, and predictive validity in only eight of 13 studies.

INTERPRETATION

The use of the AIMS with validated versions and norms is recommended. The AIMS or country-specific versions should be used with caution if norms have not been validated within the specific cultural context.

Validation of the Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children to predict motor outcome in preterm infants: A 2 years follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the validity of the Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children (DF-mot) to predict motor developmental delays in preterm infants.

METHOD

This retrospective cohort study includes 67 preterm infants who were assessed at 3-5 months by the DF-mot and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS); and at 22-25 months by the Bayley Scales of Infant-Toddler Development (Bayley-III). The properties of the DF-mot and the AIMS were examined based on their ability to predict motor delays on the Bayley-III.

RESULTS

The DF-mot gross motor subscale -2 SD and the AIMS 10th centile showed best balance between sensitivity and specificity (respectively Se = 57.1%, Sp = 71.7% and Se = 50%, Sp = 73.5%). Overall, the DF-mot fine motor subscale fails to predict motor delays.

CONCLUSION

The DF-mot shows a lack of sensitivity and of positive predictive value to accurately predict motor outcome at 2 years in preterm infants.

ABBREVIATIONS

CA, Corrected age; AIMS, Alberta Infant Motor Scale; DF-mot/PML, Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children postural motor locomotor; DF-mot/EHGC, Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children eye-hand grip coordination; Bayley-III/GM, Gross motor subscale of the Bayley Scales of Infant-Toddler Development Third Edition; Bayley-III/FM, Fine motor subscale of the Bayley Scales of Infant-Toddler Development Third Edition.