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Purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate differences in Early Clinical Assessment of Balance (ECAB) scores within children with cerebral palsy (CP) with different Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels and between children with CP and typical development (TD) who are under three years of age. Methods: The ECAB was administered to fifty children (13 with TD, 16 with GMFCS level II, 11 with GMFCS level III, 10 with GMFCS level III). Results: The group of children of TD had significantly higher scores than all groups of children with CP. There were significant differences in ECAB within the groups of children with CP with different GMFCS levels. Conclusion: The results of this study support the construct validity of the ECAB as a measure of postural control in children under three years of age with CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Early Clinical Assessment of Balance (ECAB) is a measure of postural stability for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between the ECAB and Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) and to determine the responsiveness of the ECAB in children with CP under three years of age. Methods: Twenty seven children (mean age of 25 months) participated. Data were collected before and after 3 and 6 months of physical therapy. Responsiveness was calculated using standardized response means (SRM). Results: Significant relationships were observed between the ECAB, GMFM-66 score (r = 0.87), and GMFM subscales (r = 0.63–0.86). A moderate effect size (SRM = 0.62) and a large effect size (SRM = 0.92) for the ECAB were found over the 3- and 6-month intervention periods, respectively. Conclusion: These results support the validity and responsiveness of the ECAB in young children with CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]