PP12.2 – 2296: The Burke-Fahn-Marsden movement scale is age-dependent in healthy children

• Published in: European journal of paediatric neurology Vol. 19; p. S77
• Main Authors: Kuiper, M.J, Vrijenhoek, L, Brandsma, R, Lunsing, R.J, Eggink, H, Peall, K.J, Contarino, M.F, Speelman, J.D, Tijssen, M.A.J, Sival, D.A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2015
• Subjects: Neurology; Pediatrics
• ISSN: 1090-3798; 1532-2130
• DOI: 10.1016/S1090-3798(15)30257-9

Objective To investigate the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Movement Scale (BFMMS) for the influence of age and for the reliability of the scores. Methods Nine movement disorder specialists from different backgrounds (3 paediatric neurologists, 3 movement disorder-research students and 3 adult neurologists) cross-sectionally scored the BFMMS independently in 52 healthy children (4–16 years; m:f = 1). We associated outcomes with age with multivariate regression analysis and we additionally investigated the reliability of the scale by calculating the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC's) of inter- and intra-observer agreement and test-retest reliability. Results In healthy children, total BFMMS scores were significantly predicted by age (β=–0.71; p<0.001). The effect of age persisted at least until 16 years of age. ICC's were statistically significant (p<0.05) and varied between fair to almost perfect [inter-observer agreement: 0.33; intra-observer agreement: 0.69; test-retest reliability: 0.94]. The inter-observer agreement appeared statistically significant (p<0.05), varying from substantial to only slight [paediatric neurologists: 0.65; research students: 0.45; neurologists: 0.20]. Conclusion In healthy children, BFMMS is age-dependent, at least until 16 years of age. For reliable interpretation and longitudinal surveillance of quantitative dystonia rating scales in children, international paediatric normal values are needed, first.