Comparison of the Test-Retest Reliability of the Balance Computerized Adaptive Test and a Computerized Posturography Instrument in Patients With Stroke

• Published in: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation Vol. 95; no. 8; pp. 1477 - 1483
• Main Authors: Chen, Chia-Hsin, Lin, Shih-Feng, Yu, Wan-Hui, Lin, Jau-Hong, Chen, Hao-Ling, Hsieh, Ching-Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.08.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; Disability Evaluation; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurologic Examination; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Postural balance; Postural Balance - physiology; Psychometrics; Rehabilitation; Reproducibility of Results; Stroke; Stroke - physiopathology; Stroke Rehabilitation; Urography; LOS; Stroke; PASS; Postural balance; CAT; Psychometrics; EO; SEM; Rehabilitation; MDC; EC; SBM; Computerized Adaptive Test; minimal detectable change; standard error of measurement; Smart Balance Master System; limit of stability; Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients; eyes closed; eyes open
• ISSN: 0003-9993; 1532-821X; 1532-821X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.03.005

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. 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. One rehabilitation unit in a local hospital. 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. Not applicable. 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. 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%). 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.