Research article summary (published 3 Aug 2009):

How to measure balance in clinical practice. A systematic review of the psychometrics and clinical utility of measures of balance activity for neurological conditions.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify psychometrically robust and clinically feasible measurement tools of balance activity in people with neurological conditions to recommend for use in clinical practice. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro and AMED. REVIEW METHODS: Independent reviewers selected and extracted data from articles that assessed the reliability, validity, sensitivity to change and clinical utility of measures of balance activity in adult neurological conditions. Quality assessment was based on Jorstad et al. Measures with 'good' psychometrics and > or =9/10 clinical utility scores were recommended. RESULTS: Nineteen measurement tools were selected. Of these, the Brunel Balance Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, Trunk Impairment Scale, arm raise and forward reach tests in sitting and standing, weight shift, step/tap and step-up tests reached the required standards and are usable in clinical practice. The Brunel Balance Assessment and its associated functional performance tests have the additional advantages of being a hierarchical scale with established lack of redundancy. CONCLUSION: The measurement tools identified above are psychometrically robust and feasible to use in clinical practice. Future objective measure development should consider the theoretical construct of the measure, the minimal detectable change and use in clinical populations other than stroke.

Author information

Author/s: Tyson, S F (SF); Connell, L A (LA);

Affiliation: Centre for Rehabilitation and Human Performance Research, University of Salford, Frederick Road Campus, Salford M6 6PU, UK. s.tyson(-atsign-)salford.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Clinical rehabilitation (Clin Rehabil), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 23 (issue 9) : pp 824-40

Dates: Created 2009/08/28; Completed 2009/11/03;

PMID: 19656816, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/3/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Disability Evaluation Humans Physical Examination Postural Balance

Psychometrics Reproducibility of Results Stroke - complications; rehabilitation Task Performance and Analysis

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