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This study presented the Turkish translation of the Early Activity Scale for Endurance (T-EASE) which was developed to evaluate the endurance for physical activity of preschool children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), and its validity and reliability. Fifty-five children with CP aged between 2 and 5 years were included in the study. The Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) were used to determine motor function levels and quality of life of the study population. The T-EASE had good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.996), internal consistency (α = 0.903), higher construct validity approved by confirmatory factor analysis, and criterion validity supported by the weak-to-strong correlations between T-EASE and GMFCS, and PODCI. The T-EASE scores were significantly different between GMFCS levels (p <.05). The T-EASE was found to be valid and reliable to determine the endurance for physical activity of Turkish pre-school children with CP with the sensitivity to changes in motor function levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate validity, reliability and feasibility of the Four Square Step Test (FSST) in children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The study included 44 children with DMD aged 5–12 years. The functional level of the children was determined by using the Brooke Lower Extremity Functional Classification (BLEFC). The concurrent validity of the FSST, a dynamic balance assessment, was investigated by analyzing the association between FSST and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) and Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) distance. The intra- and inter-rater reliability of the FSST was determined by using the Intra Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) while the feasibility of the test was determined by calculating the percentage of children who successfully completed the test in accordance with the test instructions. The FSST score of the children (mean age 9.25 ± 2.14 years) was 11.91 ± 3.43 and the BLEFC level ranged from Level 1 (65.9%) to Level 3 (9.1%). FSST had positive, moderate relation with BLEFC (r = 0.447; p =.002); positive, strong relation with TUG (rs = 0.623), and negative, moderate correlations with NSAA (rs = −0.529) and 6MWT distance (rs = −0.592) (p <.001). Intra-rater (ICC: 0.965) and inter-rater (ICC: 0.991) reliability was "excellent," and the test was feasible with successful performance of 88% children. The FSST is a valid, reliable and feasible instrument to assess dynamic balance as well as having the ability to reflect falling risk and different functional levels of children with DMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the feasibility and safety of short-term functional electrical stimulation (FES) training of the quadriceps femoris muscles in a child with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). A 7-year-old child with FSHD received treatment due to a decrease in functional performance and difficulty climbing stairs. The child was followed up with a home-based exercise program. FES was applied twice a week during stair climbing for six weeks. Muscle activation of the quadriceps femoris was measured using superficial electromyography, muscle strength was measured with a hand-held dynamometer, and functional performance was assessed with the 6-Minute Walk and the Stair Climb Tests before and after the treatment period. At the end of the treatment, there was an improvement in muscle activation. While muscle strength increased in the quadriceps femoris muscle of the non-dominant side, it remained constant on the dominant side. Functional performance test results also improved. FES was a feasible and safe tool to use in our case, a child with FSHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether trunk control is associated with the upper limb function of children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Methods: The children included in the study were divided into two groups according to the Trunk Control Measurement Scale total scores. Twenty-five children whose trunk control levels were lower than 30.5 points were included in Group 1 while 31 children who had good levels of trunk control between 30.5 and 58 points were included in Group 2. General functional levels, muscular strength, and function of the upper limb were assessed and compared between the groups. Results: According to the results of the assessments, children in Group 2 were found to have better upper limb function and muscular strength than Group 1 (p <.001). Conclusions: The current study demonstrated better upper limb functional performance of children with DMD that had good-level trunk control thus suggesting the possible association between trunk stability and upper limb function. The results reveal the need to improve and protect trunk muscle strength and stability as well as upper limb strength, and to optimize trunk stability during upper limb movement in rehabilitation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]