Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the predictive properties of Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scales, in a group of independently-functioning ...community dwelling older adults. Subjects and Methods Ninety-seven community-dwelling older adults (male=39, female=58) who were capable of walking independently on assessment were included in this study. A binary logistic regression analysis of the Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale scores was used to investigate a predictive model for fall risk. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was conducted for each, to determine the cut-off for optimal levels of sensitivity and specificity. Results The overall prediction success rate was 89.7%; the total Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale scores were significant in predicting fall risk. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined that a cut-off score of 40 out of 56 on the Berg Balance Scale produced the highest sensitivity (0.82) and specificity (0.67), and a cut-off score of 22 out of 40 on the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale produced the highest sensitivity (0.85) and specificity (0.65) in predicting faller status. Conclusion The Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scales can predict fall risk, when used for independently-functioning community-dwelling older adults.
Stroke is a leading cause of disability and decline in the quality of life in adults and older people. It can cause different impairments in the physiological system involved in postural control, ...movement and cognitive ability. Balance is defined as the ability to maintain a position within the limits of stability or base of support. The aim of this study was to investigate dynamic and static balance among the stroke patients. Thirty one patients with stroke (stroke onset >3 months) (male =18 female=13 mean: 48± (aged between 17-70 years old participated in this study. The Berg balance test was used to measure static and dynamic balance ability among stroked patients. It is a qualitative measure that assesses balance via performing functional activities, such as reaching, bending, transferring, and standing that incorporates most components of postural control. The results showed that the mean BBS score was 25.71, where patients need assistance in most of the movements required to perform daily-life activities. Furthermore, males scored greater mean values than females on three movements (Sitting unsupported), (Standing with eyes closed) and the movement of (Standing with feet together). The results revealed that there was a significant difference in the Berg balance scale for the stroke patients according to age. Finally, The BBS is recommended for assessing the severity of balance impairment
The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is the smallest clinically significant difference in treatment identified as crucial to the patient. There is no known MCID for the Berg Balance ...Scale (BBS), which measures balance function in patients with hip fractures. We aimed to calculate the MCID of the BBS in older adults with hip fractures.
This is a retrospective multicenter clinical study that included 187 older adults with hip fractures. MCID was calculated using functional ambulation categories (FACs), which were used as anchors for the change in BBS scores between admission and discharge. MCID was calculated as an improvement for more than one point and as a substantial change for improvement for more than two points in the FAC.
MCID of the BBS was 11.5 points and that of the substantial change was 18.5 points, with an area under the curve of 0.76 and 0.81, respectively.
MCID for the BBS was 11.5 points in older adults with hip fractures. In addition, an improvement of more than 18.5 points in BBS can be considered a substantial change. These values may be useful in determining meaningful balance function improvement.
Implications for rehabilitation
Hip fractures are a common injury for the older adults, and improvement in gait function has a bearing on prognosis.
The effectiveness of meaningful rehabilitation is possible to determine by clarifying the minimal clinically important difference in balance function, which is important for the acquisition of gait.
An improvement of 11.5 points or more on the Berg Balance Scale in an older adult with a hip fracture is considered a meaningful effect.
Background: Aging increases the probability of falling. Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale is developed to assess balance and the purpose of this study is examination of the validity and reliability of ...Persian version of the scale in Iranian community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: The "forward-backward" procedure was applied for translation. Content validity was calculated by agreement of experts. For evaluation concurrent criterion validity, correlation of Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale with Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and Functional Reach Test was measured. Retrospective self-report of fall was applied for considering predictive criterion validity. For assessment of construct validity, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Kappa Coefficient, standard error of measurement (SEM), and Cronbach's alpha were used to assess reliability.
Results: Content validity was acceptable (0.8-1). Concurrent criterion validity was calculated moderate-good (Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale with Berg Balance Scale, Berg Balance Scale static, and Berg Balance Scale dynamic: 0.65, 0.68, and 0.44. Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale with Timed Up and Go Test and Functional Reach Test: −0.77 and 0.6, respectively). Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale had an inverse linear relationship with fall probability. In factor analysis, two factors were extracted. ICC (95% confidence interval) for both test-retest and inter-rater reliability (0.92 and 0.72-1) was excellent (0.97 and 0.92) and Kappa for both test-retest and inter-rater reliability was good. SEM at test-retest reliability (0.17) and inter-rater reliability (1.25) was good. Excellent homogeneity was got (Cronbach's alpha: 0.84).
Conclusions: The Persian version of the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale is a reliable and valid tool for measuring balance in Iranian community-dwelling older adults.
Implications for rehabilitation
Existence of a scale that measures the balance in high-performance individuals, as well as small changes in balance is essential in rehabilitation.
Obtaining the validity and reliability of the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale, which has the mentioned characteristics in older adults, enhances rehabilitation interventions in these population.
Highlights • Viewing a virtual environment through a HMD appears safe for static balance. • Viewing a virtual environment through a HMD affects dynamic balance. • More studies need to be conducted in ...population with balance deficits
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of core strengthening exercises and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques on functional performance and balance among patients with ...haemiplegic stroke.
Method: The quasi-experimental study was conducted from March to August 2021 at Imran Idrees Hospital, Sialkot, Pakistan, and comprised stroke patients of either gender who were divided into proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation group A and core strengthening group B. In both groups, the treatment was given for 6 weeks with 5 30-minute sessions per week. Functional performance and balance were measured using Barthel Index and Berg Balance Scale. Data were collected at baseline, 3 weeks and 6 weeks. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.
Results: Of the 48 patients, 24(50%) were in each of the 2 groups. There were 39(81.25%) male and 9(18.75%) female subjects with an overall mean age of 45±4.919 years. Mean Barthel Index score in group A was 62.50±7.22 at baseline and 74.79±7.14 after 6 weeks. Mean Berg Balance Score was 25.04±2.15 at baseline and 41.66±6.04 after 6 weeks (p<0.05). In group B, Barthel Index score was 61.45±6.33 at baseline and 80.83±7.61 after 6 weeks. Mean Berg Balance score was 25.33±3.38 at baseline and 47.08±5.99 after 6 weeks (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in group B scores compared to group A (p<0.01).
Conclusion: Core strengthening programme was more effective than the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation programme in terms of activity of daily living and balance in patients with stroke.
Keywords: Activity of daily living, Berg Balance Scale, Barthel Index, Core strengthening, Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, Stroke.
Introduction: Balance impairments and an increased fall risk are common concerns among individuals with various health conditions. Resistance exercise has shown potential in improving balance and ...reducing fall risk. Aim: To determine the effects of home-based Thera-Band resistance training in reducing the risk of falls among the geriatric population and to compare it with weight-cuff resistance training. Materials and Methods: A Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted at the Amity Institute of Health and Applied Science, Noida, India, from November 2022 to April 2023. The intervention period spanned four weeks, and a total of thirtythree subjects were enrolled in the study. The participants were divided into three groups: Group A, Group B, and Group C. Group A performed resistance exercises using weight cuffs combined with standard balance training, Group B performed resistance training with Thera-Band combined with standard balance training, and Group C received standard balance exercises alone. The effects of the interventions on fall risk reduction were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Fall Efficacy Scale (FES) among the geriatric population. Paired t-tests were employed to compare pre- and post-intervention data within each group, determining significant changes within each group over the intervention period. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilised to assess between-group effects of the different interventions. Results: The FES scores were assessed pre- and postintervention for each group. Group B (Thera-Band) demonstrated significantly better outcomes in fall efficacy compared to Group A (Weight-cuff) (p<0.01) and Group C (p<0.01). For balance assessment using the BBS, both Group A and Group B showed better results compared to Group C (p<0.01). In terms of mobility assessed through the TUG test, Group B exhibited substantial improvement compared to both Group A and Group C (p<0.05). Improvements in fall efficacy, balance, and mobility were seen in Group B (Thera-Band). Conclusion: Home-based resistance training using TheraBand was found to be the most effective method for reducing the risk of falls in the geriatric population, followed by weightcuff resistance training in combination with conventional balance training. Thera-Band is not only effective but also more convenient, hassle-free, and cost-effective. The geriatric population should be provided with more multi-mode exercises that are easy to perform and have been found to be effective and helpful at their advanced age.
Purpose:
Cross-cultural adaptation of the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) into Greek.
Methods:
The PBS was forward-back translated and evaluated for content equivalence. The Greek PBS (PBS
GR
) was ...administered to children with movement impairments by 2 pediatric physical therapists. The scale was readministered to the same children after 3 weeks (test-retest reliability) and to children with typical development for discriminant validity. The 1-minute walk test was administered to test the scale's concurrent validity.
Results:
Psychometric testing was completed on 26 children with movement impairments. The scale had excellent interrater and test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Moderate correlation was observed between PBS
GR
and 1-minute walk. Children with movement impairment had significantly lower PBS
GR
scores than children with typical development.
Conclusions:
Acceptable reliability, concurrent validity, and discriminant validity were observed for the PBS
GR
.
Various outcome measures are used for the assessment of balance and mobility in patients with stroke. The purpose of the present study was to examine test-retest reliability, construct validity, and ...responsiveness of the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) for measuring balance in patients with chronic stroke.
Fifty-six patients (39 male and 17 female) with chronic stroke participated in this study. A senior physical therapist assessed the test-retest reliability and validity of three scales, including the DGI, TUG, and BBS over two testing sessions. In addition, the third assessment of each scale was taken at the time of discharge to determine the responsiveness of the three outcome measures.
The reliability of the TUG (intraclass correlation coefficient ICC
= 0.98), DGI (ICC
= 0.98) and BBS (ICC
= 0.99) were excellent. The standard error of measurement (SEM) of the TUG, DGI, and BBS were 1.16, 0.71, and 0.98, respectively. The minimal detectable change (MDC) of the TUG, DGI, and BBS were 3.2, 1.9, and 2.7, respectively. There was a significant correlation found between the DGI and BBS (first reading r = 0.75; second reading r = 0.77), TUG and BBS (first reading r = -.52; second reading r = -.53), and the TUG and DGI (first reading r = 0.45; second reading r = 0.48), respectively.
The test-retest reliability of the TUG, BBS, and DGI was excellent. The DGI demonstrated slightly better responsiveness than TUG and BBS. However, the small sample size of this study limits the validity of the results.
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