Kolobe THA, Bulanda M; University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK ²University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL. hkolobe@ouhsc.edu.

PURPOSE: This study compared the diagnostic efficiency of Alberta Infant Movement Scale (AIMS) and Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) when used with infants of varying levels of medical risk. SUBJECTS: Sixty-four children, preschool age, who participated in a longitudinal validation study of the TIMP. The children had been administered the TIMP and AIMS at 3 months post-term age. METHODS: Peabody Developmental Motor Scale, 2^nd edition (PDMS II) and medical diagnosis were used as the reference standards for motor function at preschool age. The children were administered the PDMS II in their homes. ANALYSIS: Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficients and multiple regression analyses were used to estimate the relationship of the three tests. Diagnostic values, using various cut-scores, were computed to compare the accuracy of tests in correctly identifying and predicting the children’s motor function. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients between the AIMS and PDMS II, and TIMP and PDMS II ranged from .37 - .66 (p = .05). Analyses of the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values revealed that the TIMP and AIMS correctly identified motor outcome in 88% and 70% of the children, respectively. The sensitivity values were .72 for the TIMP and .18 for the AIMS. Differences were also found in specificity, negative- and positive predictive values. CONCLUSION: Although scores on the AIMS and TIMP were correlated with the PDMS quotients, the tests differed in their accuracy in identifying children with motor delay or disabilities. At 3 months, TIMP correctly identified more children with motor disabilities than the AIMS. The findings indicate that a low TIMP score at 3 months is a more accurate indicator and predictor of motor delay or disability in children at preschool age than the AIMS. RELEBANCE: Physical therapists dedicate a considerable proportion of clinical time diagnosing infants with motor delays or disabilities, and determining whether or not the infants are eligible for early intervention services. These findings provide essential information that can be used in test selection and interpretation of test results. FUNDING SOURCES: Partially funded by grants from the Section on Pediatrics and R01 HD 32567 NCMRR.

Copyright 2004 by the American Physical Therapy Association

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