The Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of TASC and the Relationship Between SMC and Motor Functions

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of Test of Arm Selective Control and the Relationship Between Upper Limb Selective Motor Control and Motor Functions in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Selective motor control (SMC) impairment in children with cerebral palsy (CP) includes movement patterns dominated by flexor or extensor synergy affecting functional movements. The research was designed to investigate the validity and the reliability of the Turkish version of the Test of Arm Selective Control (TASC) (which is improved to evaluate SMC in children with spastic CP) and in order to provide more understanding of the relationship between SMC and upper extremity and gross motor functions. The study included 21 hemiplegic, 11 diplegic and 4 quadriplegic children with CP whose ages are 4 to 18 years and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level changes from 1 to 4, and their parents. In order to evaluate the gross motor function of children, GMFCS and the ability to hold objects with their hands in daily activities were evaluated with Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). ABILHAND-Kids scale was applied to evaluate upper extremity performance. TASC scale was used to evaluate the upper extremity SMC of children.

Inclusion Criteria:

• having a diagnosis of spastic CP
• being able to understand the commands required for the test,
• being between the ages of 3-18,
• being GMFCS level I to IV.

Exclusion Criteria: • Having undergone orthopedic surgery or Botulinum Toxin A (BTX-A) within the last 6 months