Validity and Reliability of the Wii Balance Board for Static Balance Assessment in Healthy Young Adults

@#Introduction: The Wii Balance Board (WBB) is a commonly used tool for balance assessment, however the inconsistency in the reported validity for the WBB when used for the assessment of healthy young adults needs to be clarified. Aim: To investigate the concurrent validity and reliability of the WBB for balance assessment in healthy young adults. Methods: Thirty-two young adults participated in this study. Their ability to balance was tested while standing on a WBB and a laboratory-grade force platform, under three conditions: feet together with eyes open, feet together with eyes closed and semi-tandem standing with eyes open. They had 10 min resting period between tests. The agreement between the WBB and the laboratory-grade force platform was investigated, and the reliability of the WBB was determined. Results: A poor agreement between the WBB and the laboratory-grade force platform was found for all standing conditions [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.03 to 0.07]. A moderate to high reliability was found for the WBB for balance assessment in healthy young adults (ICC = 0.66 to 0.76). Conclusion: The WBB was found to be a reliable tool for static balance assessment in healthy young adults. However, it had poor validity compared to the laboratory-grade force platform.

Behavioural and objective vestibular assessment in persons with osteoporosis and osteopenia: a preliminary investigation / Behavioural and objective vestibular assessment in persons with osteoporosis and osteopenia: a preliminary investigation

Abstract Introduction: Calcium is vital for the functioning of the inner ear hair cells as well as for the neurotransmitter release that triggers the generation of a nerve impulse. A reduction in calcium level could therefore impair the peripheric vestibular functioning. However, the outcome of balance assessment has rarely been explored in cases with osteopenia and osteoporosis, the medical conditions associated with reduction in calcium levels. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the impact of osteopenia and osteoporosis on the outcomes of behavioural and objective vestibular assessment tests. Methods: The study included 12 individuals each in the healthy control group and osteopenia group, and 11 individuals were included in the osteoporosis group. The groups were divided based on the findings of bone mineral density. All the participants underwent behavioural tests (Fukuda stepping, tandem gait and subjective visual vertical) and objective assessment using cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials. Results: A significantly higher proportion of the individuals in the two clinical groups' demonstrated abnormal results on the behavioural balance assessment tests (p < 0.05) than the control group. However, there was no significant difference in latencies or amplitude of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential and oVEMP between the groups. The proportion of individuals with absence of ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential was significantly higher in the osteoporosis group than the other two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the present study confirm the presence of balance-related deficits in individuals with osteopenia and osteoporosis. Hence the clinical evaluations should include balance assessment as a mandatory aspect of the overall audiological assessment of individuals with osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Resumo: Introdução: O cálcio é vital para o funcionamento das células ciliadas, assim como para a liberação dos neurotransmissores que desencadeiam um impulso nervoso. Uma redução nos níveis de cálcio poderia, portanto, prejudicar o funcionamento vestibular periférico. No entanto, a avaliação do equilíbrio tem sido raramente explorada em casos de osteopenia e osteoporose, condições médicas associadas à redução dos níveis de cálcio. Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar o impacto da osteopenia e da osteoporose nos resultados dos testes de avaliação comportamental e vestibular objetiva. Método: O estudo incluiu 12 indivíduos nos grupos controle e grupo de osteopenia e 11 indivíduos no grupo da osteoporose. Os grupos foram divididos com base nos achados da densidade mineral óssea. Todos os participantes foram submetidos a testes comportamentais (Prova dos Passos de Fukuda, Marcha em tandem e Vertical Visual Subjetiva) e à avaliação objetiva com o uso de potenciais evocados miogênicos vestibulares cervical e ocular (cVEMP e oVEMP). Resultados: Uma proporção significativamente maior de indivíduos nos dois grupos com condições clínicas mostrou resultados anormais nos testes de avaliação comportamental e do equilíbrio (p < 0,05) do que o grupo controle. Embora não tenha havido diferença significativa nas latências ou na amplitude de cVEMP e oVEMP entre os grupos, a proporção de indivíduos com ausência de oVEMP foi significativamente maior no grupo da osteoporose do que nos outros dois grupos (p < 0,05). Conclusão: Os resultados do presente estudo demonstram a presença de déficits de equilíbrio em indivíduos com osteopenia e osteoporose. Assim, as avaliações clínicas gerais e audiológicas de indivíduos com osteopenia e osteoporose deveriam incluir a avaliação do equilíbrio como um aspecto obrigatório.

Validity of Functional Gait Assessment in Patients with Parkinson's Disease / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To investigate the construct and concurrent validity of the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) as the measure for balance and gait during walking in Parkinson's disease patients. Methods From March to December, 2011, 121 patients with Parkinson's disease (mean aged 61.9 years) were evaluated with FGA by one rater, as well as the other scales for balance and gait, such as Berg Balance Scale, Functional Ambulation Category, Timed Up and Go Test, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Movement Disorders Society revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part 3, modified Barthel Index, maximum walking speed and Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale. Principal Component Analysis was used to determine construct validity. Spearman correlation coefficients between the FGA and other measures were used to determine concurrent validity. Results One common factor was extracted, which cumulatively explained 64.0% of the total variance. The FGA correlated moderately with the other measures (r = 0.57-0.85). Conclusion FGA is good in validity for Parkinson's disease patients.

Correlation between reliability and validity of Brunel balance assessment with activities of daily living / 重庆医学

Objective To explore the correlation between the reliability and validity of Brunel balance assessment(BBA)with the activities of daily living(ADL).Methods The BBA,ADL and walking ability test were performed on 215 patients conforming to the inclusion standard by two professionals.The Pearson correlation analysis,factor analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were adopted.Results The BBA total score and Cronbach's α coefficient in 3 dimensions was 0.852～0.941(P＜0.01),moreover the relative coefficient of each item with its dimension was higher that that of other dimensions;3 common factors were extracted by the factor analysis,the contribution rate was 83.916％;but BBA had the ceiling effect,the relative coefficient of BBA with ADL and walking ability was 0.284-0.709(P＜0.05).Conclusion BBA has a good reliability and validity and can better reflect the functions of ADL and walk.

Measure Static Balance Function with Active Balancer EAB-100: Reference Values and Clinical Significance / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To establish the reference values of static balance function with Active Balancer EAB-100 in healthy Chinese adults, and to screen the valuable indices for clinical work. Methods There were 227 healthy adults measured with Active Balancer EAB-100 when standing still with eyes opened and closed. All the data recorded were analyzed with SPSS 19.0, and the weight of every parameter was obtained with principal component analysis. Results The reference values of parameters for static balance function were established in healthy Chinese adults. The loadings of whole path length, rectangle area, circumference area, effective value area, deflection center displacement X, deflection center displacement Y, rectangle area of Romberg rate and circumference area of Romberg rate were more than average. Conclusion It is need to focus on whole path length, circumference area, deflection center displacement X, deflection center displacement Y, and effective value area and circumference area of Romberg rate much more in clinical practice for the static balance assessment.

Research progress on the light-weight and low-cost systems for human motion balance measurement / 医用生物力学

The mechanism of balance controlling and maintaining during human motion is quite complex, and many physiological and non-physiological factors such as aging, apoplexy and limb disability can lead to balance dysfunctions.Thus, the functional tests and evaluation on balance plays a vital role in the diagnosis and evaluation of many diseases. The common equipment and methods for investigating balance funciton of human body, as well as their limitations were summarized, and the design and method of serveral light-weight, low-cost, novel systems such as wearable motion capture systems based on microelectronic sensors and human balance measuring and training systems based on somatosensory games were also proposed in this paper.

Characteristics of Balance Impairment in Aged Stroke Patients / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To analyze the characteristics of balance impairment in stroke patients over 60 years old. Methods This was a retrospectivecase-control study. Subjects were divided into two groups, normal control group and stroke group. Tetrax Interactive Balance Systemwas used to examine stability index (ST), weight distribution percentages, weight distribution index (WDI), fall index (FI), synchronizationsand spectrum analysis of postural sway under the condition of standing still with eyes open respectively in both groups. Results Frequenciesof spectrum analysis of postural sway in the stroke group were significantly higher than that in normal control group (P<0.05) exceptthe low frequencies. The weight distribution percentages of unaffected foot and WDI of the stroke group were significantly higher thanthe normal control group (P<0.05). ST and synchronizations in the stroke group were worse than the normal control group (P<0.05). In thestroke group, correlations were found between FI and ST, FI and spectrum analysis of postural sway (except the low frequencies), as well asbetween FI and synchronizations (P<0.05). Conclusion Stability index, weight distribution percentages, weight distribution index, synchronizationsand spectrum analysis of postural sway are significantly abnormal in the elderly stroke patients with balance impairment. And theirfall index was found to be correlated to a variety of factors.

Clinical Application of Balance Assessment Scale / 中国康复理论与实践

@#There are so many ways of assessment on balance, among which scale assessment is the most used method. This article introduced the frequently used balance assessment scales in clinical medicine and researches, such as Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (Tinetti POMA), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale(ABC), Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA), Dynamic Gait Index(DGI), Functional Gait Assessment(FGA), Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BEST), and the researches of reliability and validity on those scales. The reliable and valid tools to assess balance and gait are suggested for clinical medicine.

Clinical Application of Balance Assessment Scale / 中国康复理论与实践

@#There are so many ways of assessment on balance, among which scale assessment is the most used method. This article introduced the frequently used balance assessment scales in clinical medicine and researches, such as Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (Tinetti POMA), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale(ABC), Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA), Dynamic Gait Index(DGI), Functional Gait Assessment(FGA), Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BEST), and the researches of reliability and validity on those scales. The reliable and valid tools to assess balance and gait are suggested for clinical medicine.

Observation on standing balance of the patients with cervical vertebra syedrome / 中国康复理论与实践

@#73 patients with cervical vertebra syndrome have been examined by body balance function with Japanese centre of gravity vacillate instrument. In six basis indexes. 58 patients with two or more abnormal, (80%). 11 Patients, one abnormal, (15%) only 4 had normal indexes (5%), but the centre of gravity chart showed two of them at middle pattern, one at disperse,another at polycentric pattern. The rate of difference remarkble cheek was significant (p>2.58, P<0.01)The examination of body balance function and the index has quantitative analysis significance. It can be effective method for assistant diagnosis and healing effective observation on certebra syndrome