Feasibility, Validity, and Reliability of the Virtual CMT Infant Toddler Scale (vCMTInfS): A Remote Evaluation of Infants/Toddlers With CMT

Abstract

Background and Aims: The CMT Infant Scale (CMTInfS) enables evaluation of infants/toddlers in clinic. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility, reliability, and validity of a virtual version of the CMTInfS (vCMTInfS). Methods: Children aged 55 months or less were evaluated either in clinic using CMTInfS or remotely via telemedicine using the vCMTInfS. A trained clinical evaluator remotely directed activities with assistance from the parent/caregiver. vCMTInfS scores were calculated using the CMTInfS calculator available at www.ClinicalOutcomeMeasures.org. Clinical evaluators also used the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior assessment scale to give insight into the behavior of the child during the exam. Results: Twenty children (10 males and 10 females) aged 6–55 months with confirmed or at risk for CMT were evaluated. The mean in person (IP) CMT Infant and Toddler Scale (CMTInfS) raw score (4.11, SD = 2.76) was not significantly different from the mean initial virtual (V1) CMTInfS raw score (3.78, SD = 2.59) using a two-tailed test (t = 1.000, p = 0.347). Differences between the first and second (V2) visits as well as between the IP and V2 visits were also nonsignificant. Interpretation: Our data demonstrate that children aged 55 months or less can be effectively evaluated remotely using the vCMTInfS, which will expand the number of very young children who can be evaluated with rare forms of CMT.