Test-Retest Reliability and Construct Validity of Two-Minute Walk Test in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

This study explored the test-retest reliability and construct validity of a two-minute walk test in children and adolescents with CP Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I, II, and III. Twenty-six participants with CP (age 11.7 ± 3.9 years) were recruited and were assessed twice with the two-minute walk test to determine the test-retest reliability (interval 2 weeks). Minimal detectable changes (MDC95) were calculated. Construct validity was established by comparing the results of the two- and six-minute walk tests during the first assessment. The test-retest reliability was excellent, with intra-class correlation (ICC) = 0.98 for all participants. The (MDC95) for all participants was 12.7 m. The distance covered by children and adolescents with CP in the two-minute walk test had high correlation (r = 0.9, p < 0.01) with distance covered in the six-minute walk test. The two-minute walk test is a valid and reliable outcome measure to assess walking performance in children and adolescents with CP. HIGHLIGHTS The two-minute walk test has excellent reliability and validity among young people with cerebral palsy The minimal detectable change of two-minute walk test among young people with cerebral palsy was 12.7 m The two-minute walk test had high correlation with the six-minute walk test among young people with cerebral palsy