Effects of Modified Instructions on Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition, Gross Motor Scores in Children with Typical Development.

AIMS: The current study assessed whether modifying instructions on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition (PDMS-2) affected scores in children with typical development.

METHODS: The gross motor portion of the PDMS-2 was administered twice, 2-10 days apart, to 38 children. Age- and gender-matched groups received instructions in both standard and modified formats, with order depending on group assignment.

RESULTS: Gross Motor Quotient results showed an effect for instruction type (p = .03) and an interaction between instruction type and order (p = .02). Improved scores for those given modified instructions during the second session indicated the interaction favored modifications. Stationary scores showed an effect for instruction type (p = .01) and an interaction between instruction type and age (p = .02). Object Manipulation scores showed an interaction between instruction type and order only (p =.002); Locomotion scores showed no significant changes (p = .25). Percentile rank changes ranged from 9% to 22% across subtests.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggested instruction modifications may change PDMS-2 gross motor scores, even in children with typical development. Findings also suggested normative scores should not be reported if modifications were used during testing. Research is needed to determine optimal cues for the best representation of true motor ability during standardized assessment.