Objective
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North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA)
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Purpose
Measurement of functional ambulation ability. Useful as an assessment and outcome measure
Ambulant children over 3 yrs with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Assesment Type
Patient Group
Neuromuscular
Age Group
Children (3-12 years) | Adolescents (13-17 years) | Young Adult (18+ years)
ICF domain
Activity & Participation
Area of assessment
Balance and co-ordination | Gross Motor
Key description
Description
17 part activity including standing, walking, balancing, stepping, getting up from the floor, jumping, hopping and running.
Grade 0-unable
Grade 1 – with compensation
Grade 2 -without compensation
Ordinal score with 34 being the maximum
Reliability / validity
Inter-rater reliability 0.93
Test-restest 0.95
Strengths / weaknesses
Child may need to rest during the test
Cost
Free
Equipment required
appropriate height chair or height adjustable plinth
box step, approximately 15 cm high, mat, stopwatch
a clear, straight, and marked 10 metres pathway
Training required
N/A
Considerations & references
References/ Links
http://www.musculardystrophyuk.org/static/s3fs-public/2021-08/NSAA%20_Manual_%2015102020.pdf?VersionId=BaPGDWk5TxA3rtF2DDipAVYlOJ5Eoumo
Score sheet:
Time to complete
15 minutes
If you spot any errors or wish to suggest any amendments to this summary, please contact paediatricmeasures@apcp.org.uk