Validity and reliability of the 12-item Berg Balance Scale in an Italian population with Parkinson's disease: A cross sectional study

Effects of Motor Rehabilitation on Balance and Functional Activities in Elderly Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy and Recurrent Falls

To date, little is known about the effects of motor rehabilitation in peripheral neuropathy (PN) patients with a history of recurrent falls (RFH). This study aimed to assess balance and the activities of daily living (ADLs) in elderly lower limb PN patients with and without RFH and to verify the effects of motor rehabilitation on balance and ADLs in these patients. We collected data from 64 lower limb PN patients, who underwent a conventional motor rehabilitation program: 35 patients had a history of recurrent falls, and 29 did not. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and motor FIM, before and after rehabilitation, were the outcome measures. After rehabilitation, lower limb PN patients with RFH had significantly higher scores in BBS and motor FIM (p < 0.001, for both) than at entry. The final BBS score and effectiveness in the BBS score of lower limb PN patients with RFH were lower than those of patients without RFH (p < 0.05 and p = 0.009, respectively). The study shows that conventional motor rehabilitation improves both balance and ADLs in patients, but balance improvement is lower in those with RFH. Thus, motor rehabilitation can be a therapeutic option for the management of these patients.

Development of a Berg Balance Scale Short-Form Using a Machine Learning Approach in Patients With Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is frequently used in routine clinical care and research settings and has good psychometric properties. This study was conducted to develop a short form of the BBS using a machine learning approach (BBS-ML).

METHODS

Data of 408 individuals poststroke were extracted from a published database. The initial (ie, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-item) versions were constructed by selecting top-ranked items based on the feature selection algorithm in the artificial neural network model. The final version of the BBS-ML was chosen by selecting the short form that used a smaller number of items to achieve a higher predictive power R2 , a lower 95% limit of agreement (LoA), and an adequate possible scoring point (PSP). An independent sample of 226 persons with stroke was used for external validation.

RESULTS

The R2 values for the initial 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-item short forms were 0.93, 0.95, 0.97, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively. The 95% LoAs were 14.2, 12.2, 9.7, 9.6, and 8.9, respectively. The PSPs were 25, 35, 34, 35, and 36, respectively. The 6-item version was selected as the final BBS-ML. Preliminary external validation supported its performance in an independent sample of persons with stroke ( R2 = 0.99, LoA = 10.6, PSP = 37).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The BBS-ML seems to be a promising short-form alternative to improve administrative efficiency. Future research is needed to examine the psychometric properties and clinical usage of the 6-item BBS-ML in various settings and samples.Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see the Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A402 ).

Psychometric Properties of the Urdu Translation of Berg Balance Scale in People with Parkinson's Disease

Background: The most common assessment tool used in clinical settings to detect changes in balance performance is the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Thus, the purpose of this study was to translate the BBS into Urdu and investigate the psychometric properties (acceptability, internal consistency reliability, interrater reliability, construct validity) for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: Eighty patients of either gender with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, stages I–III on the modified Hoehn–Yahr (H&Y) scale, with intact cognition according to the Mini Mental Score Examination (MMSE) score (greater than or equal to 24) and independent of transfers, were included in this study. The BBS was translated according to international guidelines based on forward and backward translation processes. The test-retest reliability as well as intra- and inter-observer reliability was assessed by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The internal consistency of the entire BBS score was assessed by calculating Cronbach’s α. The convergent validity was assessed by correlating the scale with the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) parts II and III and the Activity-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABCS). The construct validity was assessed using a factor analysis. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 62.35 ± 5.74 in years (range: 60–87 years). The ICC for intra- and inter-observer reliability was 0.95 (p < 0.0001) and 0.99 (p < 0.001), respectively. Cronbach’s α was calculated as 0.81, which showed acceptable internal consistency of the Urdu version of the BBS. The test-retest reliability (ICC) of the Urdu version of the BBS was determined as 0.97 for the total score, and ranged from 0.66–0.95 for individual items. In terms of validity, the Urdu version of the BBS was correlated with the ABCS (in the positive direction) and UPDRS-II and III (in the negative direction) (r = 0.53, p < 0.001; r = −0.68, p < 0.001, r = −0.78, p < 0.0001), respectively. Conclusion: The Urdu version of the BBS is a reliable and valid scale to be used in balance assessment of population diagnosed with PD with excellent psychometric properties.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Properties of the Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age-Short Form (LSITA-SF12) for Use among Ethiopian Elders

(1) Background: Self-reported measures play a crucial role in research, clinical practice, and health assessment. Instruments used to assess life satisfaction need validation to ensure that they measure what they are intended to detect true variations over time. An adapted instrument measuring life satisfaction for use among Ethiopian elders was lacking; therefore, this study aimed to culturally adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age—Short Form (LSITA-SF12) in Ethiopia. (2) Methods: Elderly people (n = 130) in Metropolitan cities of northwestern Ethiopia answered the LSITA-SF12 in the Amharic language. Selected reliability and validity tests were examined. (3) Result: The scale had an acceptable limit of content validity index, internal consistency, test-retest, inter-rater reliabilities, and concurrent and discriminant validities. (4) Conclusion: The Amharic language version of LSITA-SF12 appeared to be valid and reliable measures and can be recommended for use in research and clinical purposes among Amharic-speaking Ethiopian elders.