Upper limb assessment in children with cerebral palsy: Translation and reliability of the French version for the Melbourne unilateral upper limb assessment ( test de Melbourne )

Abstract Introduction The Melbourne unilateral upper limb assessment evaluates upper limb function in children with neurologic impairment aged from 5 to 15 years old. Its validity and reliability have been well demonstrated for the English version, which supports this tool as a reference tool. Objectives To present the French version of the Melbourne, its validity and reliability in order to offer French-speaking clinicians a relevant tool. Patients and methods The criterion validity was studied in a group of 46 children (mean age 10.6 years, gross motor function classification system in cerebral palsy [GMFCS] 1 to 4) in comparison with Box and Block test; the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was studied in a group of 11 hemiplegic children (mean age 9.8 years, GMFCS 1 or 2). Results The French version of the Melbourne test has a good criterion validity, with a good correlation between the score of Melbourne and the score of Box and Block test; the intra-rater reliability is very high or excellent, the inter-rater reliability is good on the whole, from moderate to excellent depending on the items. Conclusion The Melbourne test is a tool which has good psychometric properties. The French version is usable and reliable.