Validation of a visual gait assessment scale for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

This study reports the experience of reliability testing and validation of a visual assessment of gait based on the Physician Rating Scale in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Comparison with three-dimensional gait analysis showed excellent correlation between observers and full gait analysis for sagittal plane motion at the knee in stance. Inter and intra-rater reliability showed moderate to almost perfect agreement for foot contact characteristics and ankle in stance. Use of this scale may be helpful in assessment of children where frequent analysis of these characteristics is needed.