The effectiveness of training in Prechtl's method on the qualitative assessment of general movements.

BACKGROUND Prechtl's method on the qualitative assessment of general movements (GMs) is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for the assessment of the integrity of the young nervous system. AIM To find out whether the ability to assess GMs correctly could be gained after receiving a few days' standardised training. STUDY DESIGN We evaluated 700 scoring sheets (containing a total of 8019 assessments) from the final tests of 18 training courses held between 1997 and 2002. RESULTS Eighty-three per cent of the assessments were correct after completing a 4- to 5-day training course. The correct discrimination between normal and abnormal GMs was 92%. It proved more difficult to assess infants correctly if they had been recorded around term age. CONCLUSION Standardised training courses enable professionals in the field of infant and child neurology to apply Prechtl's method of GM assessment accurately.