Development and validation of the balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and investigate the internal consistency, criterion-related validation, and minimum clinically significant difference of a new standing balance outcome measure for Elder Rehabilitation.


METHODS
Three phases: (1) cross-sectional survey with expert panel, (2) multicenter prospective cohort randomly divided into development and validation datasets, and (3) prospective cohort (single site).


METHODS
Geriatric and rehabilitation units across 2 states in Australia.


METHODS
A total of 1769 admissions across 17 geriatric assessment and rehabilitation units.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation (BOOMER) consisted of the step test, Timed Up & Go test, Functional Reach Test, and static standing with feet together and eyes closed test. Criterion-related validity was established through comparison to the Modified Elderly Mobility Scale (MEMS) and the FIM motor score.


RESULTS
Items of the BOOMER were already used at a majority of rehabilitation facilities surveyed. The BOOMER showed high levels of internal consistency (Cronbach alpha>.87) and had good correlation with the FIM motor and the MEMS (rho>.72). The minimum clinically significant change in the BOOMER was 3 points over a 17-point scale range.


CONCLUSIONS
The BOOMER is a clinically applicable measure of standing balance among older rehabilitation patients with evidence of content and construct validity.
Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Terrence_Haines@health.qld.gov.au
Terry
T
Haines
Suzanne S
SS
Kuys
Greg
G
Morrison
Jane
J
Clarke
Paul
P
Bew
Steven
S
McPhail
D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*