Article

OBJECTIVE: To identify psychometrically robust and clinically feasible
measurement tools of balance activity in people with neurological conditions to
recommend for use in clinical practice. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE,
PEDro and AMED. REVIEW METHODS: Independent reviewers selected and extracted data
from articles that assessed the reliability, validity, sensitivity to change and
clinical utility of measures of balance activity in adult neurological
conditions. Quality assessment was based on Jorstad et al. Measures with 'good'
psychometrics and > or =9/10 clinical utility scores were recommended. RESULTS:
Nineteen measurement tools were selected. Of these, the Brunel Balance
Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, Trunk Impairment Scale, arm raise and forward
reach tests in sitting and standing, weight shift, step/tap and step-up tests
reached the required standards and are usable in clinical practice. The Brunel
Balance Assessment and its associated functional performance tests have the
additional advantages of being a hierarchical scale with established lack of
redundancy. CONCLUSION: The measurement tools identified above are
psychometrically robust and feasible to use in clinical practice. Future
objective measure development should consider the theoretical construct of the
measure, the minimal detectable change and use in clinical populations other than
stroke.

Langue : ANGLAIS