title: Comparison of the test-retest reliability of the balance computerized adaptive test and a computerized posturography instrument in patients with stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the test-retest reliabilities of the scores of the Balance Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) and the Biodex Balance System in patients with stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A repeated-measures design (at a 1-wk interval) was used to examine the test-retest reliabilities of the scores of the Balance CAT and the Biodex Balance System.
  
  
  METHODS
  One rehabilitation unit in a local hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (N=50) with stroke for more than 6 months and undergoing outpatient rehabilitation completed the Balance CAT and the eyes open (EO)/closed (EC) tests, but only 17 patients finished the Limit of Stability (LOS) test because they were unable to reach all the targets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Balance CAT and 2 computerized tests of the Biodex Balance System, namely the EO/EC test and the LOS, were used to evaluate balance function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The test-retest reliabilities of the scores of the Balance CAT (Pearson r=.92, minimal detectable change [MDC] percent=12.8%) was excellent. Those of the EO/EC and LOS tests were poor to good (Pearson r=.56-.85, MDC%=50.8%-126.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The test-retest reliabilities of the scores of the Balance CAT were sufficient for assessing balance function in patients with stroke. Moreover, the test-retest reliabilities of the scores of the Balance CAT, one of the functional balance measures, were superior to those of the Biodex Balance System, 1 type of computerized posturography instrument. Therefore, the Balance CAT may be a more reliable measure for clinicians and researchers to use in assessing the balance function of patients with stroke for more than 6 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Hsin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Feng
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wan-Hui
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department and Graduate Institute of Neurology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jau-Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan. Electronic address: hlchen@ntu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Hao-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014567:Urography
keywords: Postural balance; Psychometrics; Rehabilitation; Stroke