Objective

The high-level mobility assessment tool (HiMAT) was developed to quantify balance and mobility problems after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The revised HiMAT is valid for people with neurological diseases. The aim of this cohort study was to translate and investigate the internal consistency, reliability of the French version in people with neurological conditions.

Material/patients and methods

The original version of HiMAT was translated into French, cross-culturally adapted and field tested.

Patients were recruited from “L’Espoir” Rehabilitation Center. All patients were tested with the HiMAT (range of scores = 0 [worst] to 54 [best]). There was one day between 2 tests to avoid fatigue. Two testers independently rated patients. Testers were an experienced physiotherapist and a young physiotherapist (less than 1 year after graduate). Young physiotherapist was trained by a view of the test and the instructions sheet. Internal consistency was investigated with Cronbach alpha. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used for assessing interrater and intrarater reliability (HiMAT sum score and each HiMAT item). Minimal detectable change (MDC) for the HiMAT was estimated. A Friedman test was used to investigate the presence of a learning effect.

Results

Currently, 9 patients were included. Six had a stroke, 1 a Guillain-Barré syndrome, 1 a spinal cord tumor treated by neurosurgery and 1 had an unknown peripheral disease affecting lower limbs. The HiMAT had no floor or ceiling effect. Internal consistency was excellent ( α = . 975). Interrater and intrarater reliability of the HiMAT score was high (interrater ICC = . 99, intrarater ICC = . 99). The MDC was −2 to + 4 points. No learning effect occurred ( P = 0, 845).

Discussion – conclusion

The French version of the HiMAT seems to be a reliable tool to measure high-level mobility in people with neurological conditions.