Validation of the stabilometer balance test: Bridging the gap between clinical and research based balance control assessments for stroke patients.
Balance assessment
Reliability
Stabilometer
Stroke
Validity
Journal
Gait & posture
ISSN: 1879-2219
Titre abrégé: Gait Posture
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9416830
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 2019
01 2019
Historique:
received:
09
06
2018
revised:
24
09
2018
accepted:
25
09
2018
pubmed:
8
10
2018
medline:
21
3
2019
entrez:
8
10
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
A pronounced discrepancy exists between balance assessments for stroke survivors that are used for clinical purposes and those used for research. Clinical assessments like the Berg Balance Scale generally have stronger ecological validity, whereas research-based assessments like posturography are generally more reliable and precise. We developed a stabilometer balance test (SBT) that aims to couple measurement reliability and precision to clinical meaningfulness by means of a personalized and adaptive test procedure. To examine the validity, reliability, and measurement error of the stabilometer balance test in inpatient stroke patients. In this cross-sectional study, inpatient stroke patients (FAC > 2) were tested on a stabilometer with adjustable resistance to mediolateral movement. A modified staircase procedure was used to adapt task difficulty (i.e., rotational stiffness) on a trial-by-trial basis. The main outcome was the threshold stiffness at which a patient could just stay balanced. Threshold stiffness was correlated with the Berg Balance Scale and posturography measurements to determine concurrent validity (N = 86). Test-retest reliability (N = 23) was analyzed with the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Floor and ceiling effects were assessed. The minimal detectable change was determined at individual and group level. Threshold rotational stiffness moderately correlated with the Berg Balance Scale (r=-0.559, p < 0.001), and the absolute path length of the center of pressure during posturography (r=0.348, p = 0.006). Test-retest reliability was good to excellent (ICC=0.869; 95%CI=0.696-0.944). There were no floor or ceiling effects. The minimal detectable change was sufficiently small to detect relevant changes in balance control both on individual and group level. The SBT is both a valid and reliable balance assessment in stroke patients. It is at least as precise as current clinically preferred measures and does not suffer from ceiling effects. Therefore, it is suitable for use in clinical practice as well as research.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
A pronounced discrepancy exists between balance assessments for stroke survivors that are used for clinical purposes and those used for research. Clinical assessments like the Berg Balance Scale generally have stronger ecological validity, whereas research-based assessments like posturography are generally more reliable and precise. We developed a stabilometer balance test (SBT) that aims to couple measurement reliability and precision to clinical meaningfulness by means of a personalized and adaptive test procedure.
RESEARCH QUESTION
To examine the validity, reliability, and measurement error of the stabilometer balance test in inpatient stroke patients.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, inpatient stroke patients (FAC > 2) were tested on a stabilometer with adjustable resistance to mediolateral movement. A modified staircase procedure was used to adapt task difficulty (i.e., rotational stiffness) on a trial-by-trial basis. The main outcome was the threshold stiffness at which a patient could just stay balanced. Threshold stiffness was correlated with the Berg Balance Scale and posturography measurements to determine concurrent validity (N = 86). Test-retest reliability (N = 23) was analyzed with the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Floor and ceiling effects were assessed. The minimal detectable change was determined at individual and group level.
RESULTS
Threshold rotational stiffness moderately correlated with the Berg Balance Scale (r=-0.559, p < 0.001), and the absolute path length of the center of pressure during posturography (r=0.348, p = 0.006). Test-retest reliability was good to excellent (ICC=0.869; 95%CI=0.696-0.944). There were no floor or ceiling effects. The minimal detectable change was sufficiently small to detect relevant changes in balance control both on individual and group level.
RELEVANCE
The SBT is both a valid and reliable balance assessment in stroke patients. It is at least as precise as current clinically preferred measures and does not suffer from ceiling effects. Therefore, it is suitable for use in clinical practice as well as research.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30292913
pii: S0966-6362(18)30703-3
doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.09.025
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Validation Study
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
77-84Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.