Psychometric properties of functional balance tests in children: a literature review
- Authors:
- Verbecque, Evi, Lobo Da Costa, Paula Hentschel, Vereeck, Luc, and Hallemans, Ann
- Abstract:
- AIM: Identifying balance problems are the first step towards monitoring and rehabilitation. Therefore, this paper aims to make an overview of the psychometric properties of the functional balance tests available for children.
METHOD: A literature search was performed in PubMED and Web of Science on 8 February 2014 and updated on 6 July 2014. A conceptual framework for functional balance tests was defined, taking balance control components and task constraints into account. The tests were selected for inclusion by consensus of 2-3 reviewers using the conceptual framework.
RESULTS: Fourteen tests were investigated in 25 articles and analysed within the conceptual framework. The Timed Up and Go test, Pediatric Balance Scale, and Pediatric Reach Test are well investigated and all show good reliability. Validity remains unclear because of lack of a criterion standard to measure balance control.
INTERPRETATION: Because of the lack of good methodological studies, strong evidence for the use of one or more functional balance tests in children cannot be provided. Moreover, it is necessary that a criterion standard to measure balance is established - DOI:
- URL:
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25495539; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.12657/abstract
- Journal:
- Dev. Med. Child Neurol
- issn:
- 1469-8749
- Publication year:
- 2015
- pages:
- 521-529
- Functional status:
- Physical functioning
- Age:
- Children (0-18)
- Disease:
- Diseases of and symptoms related to the ear and mastoid process
Diseases of and symptoms related to the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Diseases of and symptoms related to the nervous system
Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified - PRO / non-PRO:
- Non-patient Reported Outcome
- Type of measurement instrument:
- 4 - Performance-based tests
6 - Clinical rating scales - Instrument:
- BBS - Berg Balance Scale (versions: BBS-3Points; SFBBS; Short BBS)
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BBW - Balance Beam Walking
CB&MS - Community Balance and Mobility Scale [alias: CBMS - Community Balance and Mobility Scale] (versons: s-CB&MS - shortened CB&MS; CB&MS-home)
DGI - Dynamic Gait Index (versions: DGI-4 or 4DGI)
FRT - Functional Reach Test / Frontal Reach Test (versions: mFRT; Backward/Forward FRT; FLRT - Functional and Lateral Reach Test)|
GDBT - Ghent Developmental Balance Test
Hop Tests (versions: Single Leg Hop; Triple Hop; Multiple Hop; Crossover Hop; 6m Timed Hop; Hop Sequence; Figure of eight; Squared Hop; Medial Hop; Lateral Hop; Side Hop Test; Timed Speedy Hop; Up-and-down; Side-to-side; Vertical Hop; Stair Hop; 10s Vertical Hop)
OLS - One-leg standing balance (alias: OLBT - One Leg Balance Test; 1 leg Balance; OLST - One leg stand test; Single leg stance; SLST - Single Leg Stance Test; Flamingo Balance Test ) (versions: eyes open/closed; OLSTP - OLST prosthesis side)
PBS - Pediatric Balance Scale
PRT - Pediatric Reach Test
SWOC - Standardized Walking Obstacle Course
TD - Tandem Stance [alias: sharpened Romberg] (versions: Tandem and Unipedal Stance; semi-tandem; parallel)
TUDS - Timed Up-and-Down Stairs
TUG - Timed Up and Go test (versions: TUG 3m)|