Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP-INTEND)
Measurement framework:
CHOP-INTEND is a validated 16-item scale with a score range of 0 – 64. It was developed in part from the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) and was designed to capture motor function in weak infants with neuromuscular disease. It includes both active movements, spontaneous or goal orientated items and of reflexive movements. It assesses head, neck, and trunk as well as proximal and distal limb strength. It has been structured to move from the easiest to more difficult items. The grading includes lower scores for gravity eliminated movement and higher scores where anti-gravity movement is observed. It does not include any ability to capture sitting or weight bearing.
ICF Domain:
Activity
Suitable for:
SMA type 1 and other infant presentations of very weak neuromuscular disease.
Level of function:
Infants 0-2 two years of age depending on how weak and big they are.
Clinical application:
Useful tool for specialist centres wishing to assess very weak infants. Should be conducted alongside assessment of joint ranges and suck and swallow. Takes 10 – 15 minutes to complete but longer in very fatigable infants. Should not be performed on babies who have just been fed and be aware that movement in very fragile babies can impact oxygen saturations. If this is a concern keep a pulse ox in situ as you make the assessment.
Training / training material
Training advised to ensure accurate delivery of the scale.
For accessing the scale and manual contact: CHOP’s Office of Technology Transfer at techtransfer@chop.edu
The scale to be used without charge when permissions are requested by academic researchers or for research purposes. When permissions are requested by commercial entities for commercial applications there is a fee.
