Retrospective assessment of the validity and use of the community balance and mobility scale among individuals with subacute spinal cord injury.
METHODS
This is a retrospective chart review.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the convergent validity, internal consistency and use of the Community Balance & Mobility Scale (CB&M) in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) during inpatient rehabilitation.


METHODS
This study was conducted in an SCI rehabilitation center in Canada.


METHODS
Inpatient charts from January 2009 to October 2015 were screened. A chart was excluded if the inpatient was aged >65 years, did not complete a CB&M and/or had a comorbid condition. Demographics, CB&M score and injury-related characteristics were extracted. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Six-Minute Walk Test (6 MWT) and Ten-Meter Walk Test (10 mWT) scores were obtained if completed within 1 week of the CB&M. χ2-Tests were used to identify CB&M items that were uniformly distributed, implying good discrimination between individuals. Convergent validity was assessed by correlating (Pearson's r) CB&M scores with BBS, 6 MWT and 10 mWT scores. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) was evaluated.


RESULTS
Thirty inpatients were included (23 male, 38.3±15.3 years old, three AIS C, 26 AIS D, C1-L4, 16 traumatic). BBS scores were ⩾51/56; however, CB&M scores showed a wider range (27-82/96). Unilateral Stance, Tandem Walking, Lateral Foot Scooting, Forward to Backward Walking and Descending Stairs showed uniform distributions. Scores on the CB&M correlated strongly with scores on the 6 MWT (r=0.72, P<0.001) and moderately strongly with 10 mWT and BBS scores (r=0.47-0.59, P=0.004-0.013). Cronbach's α=0.87.


CONCLUSIONS
The CB&M is a valid measure in high-functioning individuals with iSCI. Prospective studies are required to further evaluate the psychometric properties of the CB&M as a measure of high-level balance for SCI.
SCI Mobility Lab, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network (TRI-UHN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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K
Chan
SCI Mobility Lab, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network (TRI-UHN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Brain & Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network TRI-UHN, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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K
Guy
SCI Mobility Lab, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network (TRI-UHN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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G
Shah
SCI Mobility Lab, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network (TRI-UHN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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J
Golla
Brain & Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network TRI-UHN, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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HM
Flett
Brain & Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network TRI-UHN, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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J
Williams
SCI Mobility Lab, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network (TRI-UHN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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KE
Musselman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult