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Measuring balance in the elderly: validation of an instrument.
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1993
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Physical ActivityAgingElderly ResidentsStroke PatientsStroke RehabilitationKinesiologyHealthy AgingStrokeNeurologyNeurorehabilitationBalance ScaleFrailtyHealth SciencesFall PreventionGeriatricsRehabilitationStroke-related ConditionBalance TrainingMedicine
The study evaluated the validity of the Balance Scale by examining its relationships to clinical judgments, self‑perceptions, laboratory sway measures, and its ability to predict falls and relate to motor and functional performance in stroke patients. The study followed 113 elderly residents over nine months, monitored falls for a year, assessed 70 acute stroke patients for functional independence, motor performance and balance over three months, and evaluated 31 elderly subjects with clinical and laboratory balance indicators. The Balance Scale showed moderate correlations with caregiver and self‑ratings and laboratory sway measures, differentiated mobility aid use and stroke patient follow‑up locations, predicted multiple falls in elderly residents, and correlated strongly with functional and motor performance in stroke patients.
This study assessed the validity of the Balance Scale by examining: how Scale scores related to clinical judgements and self-perceptions of balance, laboratory measures of postural sway and external criteria reflecting balancing ability; if scores could predict falls in the elderly; and how they related to motor and functional performance in stroke patients. Elderly residents (N = 113) were assessed for functional performance and balance regularly over a nine-month period. Occurrence of falls was monitored for a year. Acute stroke patients (N = 70) were periodically rated for functional independence, motor performance and balance for over three months. Thirty-one elderly subjects were assessed by clinical and laboratory indicators reflecting balancing ability. The Scale correlated moderately with caregiver ratings, self-ratings and laboratory measures of sway. Differences in mean Scale scores were consistent with the use of mobility aids by elderly residents and differentiated stroke patients by location of follow-up. Balance scores predicted the occurrence of multiple falls among elderly residents and were strongly correlated with functional and motor performance in stroke patients.