Formal training in general movement assessment is required to effectively evaluate infants with perinatal asphyxia in outpatient settings

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

AIM: General movement assessment (GMA) can help to identify children with a high risk of developing neurological dysfunction, such as cerebral palsy, and certified training is provided in this specialism. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and reliability of using video recordings to assess GMA, in a busy Danish outpatient clinic.

METHODS: The study comprised 30-term infants born with perinatal asphyxia, who were video recorded at three months. They were assessed by two certified GMA observers and re-assessed two weeks later. Interobserver and intra-observer agreements were analysed using proportional agreement, and nominal kappa statistics were used to calculate 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS: We found substantial and almost perfect interobserver and intra-observer reliability. Intra-observer agreement was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.65-1.00; p < 0.0001) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.62-1.00; p < 0.0001), and interobserver agreement was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.45-0.96; p < 0.0001) at time point one and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.63-1.00; p < 0.0001) two weeks later. All video recordings were completed within our multidisciplinary outpatient clinic without delay.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the reliability of the GMA method in a busy multidisciplinary Danish paediatric outpatient setting, when assessors had been formally trained in the method and used it regularly.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Paediatrica
Volume105
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)1056-1060
Number of pages5
ISSN0803-5253
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sep 2016

ID: 173711809