Manual Ability Classification System | |
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Medical diagnostics | |
Purpose | assess 4-18 years old individuals with cerebral palsy ability to use hands |
The Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) is a medical classification system used to describe how children aged from 4 to 18 years old with cerebral palsy use their hands with objects during activities of daily living, with a focus on the use of both hands together. Like the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), there are five levels - level I being the least impaired, only finding difficulty in tasks needing speed and accuracy, and level V being the most impaired, not being able to handle objects and having severely limited abilities for even simple actions.
It is mostly used as a way of describing a sample population and as an independent variable. Occasionally it is used as a dependent variable. MACS levels are stable over time and so they can be used as part of a prognosis for individuals. Although MACS was not designed for adults, it has been used with a good measure of reliability in young adult populations ranging in ages from 18-24. Although it has a good level of reliability when used for children between 2 and 5 years of age, there is less evidence for using it with children younger than 2.[1] Unlike the GMFCS, there are no age bands for the MACS.[2] Assessment is typically done by asking questions of the parent or therapist of the child to see where the child fits.[3] MACS has had some studies demonstrating good to excellent inter-rater reliability.[4] The MACS is used worldwide except in Africa.[1]
The widespread adoption of the GMFCS inspired the development of the MACS.[5]
Alternative classification systems used for children with CP include: ABILHAND, AHA, CHEQ, CPQOL, House, MUUL, PedsQLCP, and SHUEE.[6]
A version of the test for children under the age of four years old, the Mini-MACS, was developed in 2016. It has similar tiers to the MACS, with descriptions that are more relevant for the toddler age group, and has good inter-rater reliability.[7]
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual Ability Classification System.
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