Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR): Convergent and discriminant validity and reliability in infants with and without spastic cerebral palsy

Theresa Sukal-Moulton*, Vanessa Maziero Barbosa, Barbara Sargent, Lynn Boswell, Raye Ann de Regnier, Arend F. Bos, Colleen Peyton

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: To describe the development of an observational measure of spontaneous independent joint motion in infants with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), the Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR), and to test its convergent validity and reliability. Method: A retrospective sample of 75 infants (45 with spastic CP and 30 without CP) at 3 months of age were scored with the BabyOSCAR and compared with diagnosis of spastic CP, limbs affected, and Gross Motor Function Classification level at 2 years of age or later for convergent validity using t-tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. BabyOSCAR interrater and test–retest reliability was also evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: Infants with spastic CP had significantly lower BabyOSCAR scores than children without CP (p < 0.001) and scores were significantly correlated with Gross Motor Function Classification System levels (p < 0.001). Children with unilateral CP had significantly higher asymmetry scores than children with bilateral CP or no CP (p < 0.01). Interrater and test–retest reliabilities were good to excellent. Interpretation: Reductions in independent joint control measured in infancy are a hallmark of eventual diagnosis of spastic CP, and influence gross motor function later in childhood (with or without a diagnosis of CP). What this paper adds: Early brain injury causing spastic cerebral palsy results in fewer independent joint movements in infants. Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR) score at 3 months depends on limbs affected by early brain injury. BabyOSCAR scores at 3 months correlate with Gross Motor Function Classification System level at ≥2 years. BabyOSCAR has excellent interrater reliability. BabyOSCAR, scored with a 1-minute video recording, has good to excellent test–retest reliability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1511-1520
Number of pages10
JournalDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Volume66
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2024

Funding

We thank the children and their families for their participation. Research reported in this publication was supported, in part, by the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, grant number UL1TR001422. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The first author was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, grant number KL2TR001424. National Institutes of Health's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, grant number UL1TR001422; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, grant number KL2TR001424.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology

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