Balance in chronic traumatic brain injury: Correlations between clinical measures and a self-report measure

Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J86113

Journal:

Brain Injury

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2019 , 33, 4, 435-441

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study assessed associations among commonly used self-report and clinical measures of balance in chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI). Fifty-nine individuals (64 percent male, mean age 48.2 years) ambulating independently within the home participated in testing. Outcome measures included the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), a self-reported balance impairment); the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M), a clinical measure validated in TBI; and the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), a clinical measure not validated in TBI. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used to quantify the direction and magnitude of the relationships among the three balance impairment measures. A significant positive correlation was noted between the ABC and the CB&M (r = 0.42), between the ABC and the BESTest (r = 0.46), and between the CB&M and the BESTest (r = 0.86). Positive correlations were found between the self-report measure and both clinical measures. Overall, individuals with chronic TBI tend to self-report less impaired balance than clinical measures indicate. These results provide preliminary evidence to support the need for validation of the BESTest in this population.

Author(s):