Abstract
Objective
To compare the test-retest reliabilities of the scores of the Balance Computerized
Adaptive Test (CAT) and the Biodex Balance System in patients with stroke.
Design
A repeated-measures design (at a 1-wk interval) was used to examine the test-retest
reliabilities of the scores of the Balance CAT and the Biodex Balance System.
Setting
One rehabilitation unit in a local hospital.
Participants
Patients (N=50) with stroke for more than 6 months and undergoing outpatient rehabilitation
completed the Balance CAT and the eyes open (EO)/closed (EC) tests, but only 17 patients
finished the Limit of Stability (LOS) test because they were unable to reach all the
targets.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
The Balance CAT and 2 computerized tests of the Biodex Balance System, namely the
EO/EC test and the LOS, were used to evaluate balance function.
Results
The test-retest reliabilities of the scores of the Balance CAT (Pearson r=.92, minimal detectable change [MDC] percent=12.8%) was excellent. Those of the EO/EC
and LOS tests were poor to good (Pearson r=.56–.85, MDC%=50.8%–126.9%).
Conclusions
The test-retest reliabilities of the scores of the Balance CAT were sufficient for
assessing balance function in patients with stroke. Moreover, the test-retest reliabilities
of the scores of the Balance CAT, one of the functional balance measures, were superior
to those of the Biodex Balance System, 1 type of computerized posturography instrument.
Therefore, the Balance CAT may be a more reliable measure for clinicians and researchers
to use in assessing the balance function of patients with stroke for more than 6 months.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
CAT (Computerized Adaptive Test), EC (eyes closed), EO (eyes open), LOS (limit of stability), MDC (minimal detectable change), PASS (Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients), SBM (Smart Balance Master System), SEM (standard error of measurement)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: March 24, 2014
Footnotes
Supported by Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital in Taiwan (grant no. KMTTH-100-026 ).
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
