Abstract
BackgroundBalance performance is considered as an indicator of functional status in the elderly, a large scale population screening and evaluation in the community context followed by proper interventions would be of great significance at public health level. However, there has been no suitable balance testing scale available for large scale studies in the unique community context of urban China.MethodsA balance scale named X16 balance testing scale was developed, which was composed of 3 domains and 16 items. A total of 1985 functionally independent and active community-dwelling elderly adults’ balance abilities were tested using the X16 scale. The internal consistency, split-half reliability, content validity, construct validity, discriminant validity of X16 balance testing scale were evaluated.ResultsFactor analysis was performed to identify alternative factor structure. The Eigenvalues of factors 1, 2, and 3 were 8.53, 1.79, and 1.21, respectively, and their cumulative contribution to the total variance reached 72.0%. These 3 factors mainly represented domains static balance, postural stability, and dynamic balance. The Cronbach alpha coefficient for the scale was 0.933. The Spearman correlation coefficients between items and its corresponding domains were ranged from 0.538 to 0.964. The correlation coefficients between each item and its corresponding domain were higher than the coefficients between this item and other domains. With the increase of age, the scores of balance performance, domains static balance, postural stability, and dynamic balance in the elderly declined gradually (P < 0.001). With the increase of age, the proportion of the elderly with intact balance performance decreased gradually (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe reliability and validity of the X16 balance testing scale is both adequate and acceptable. Due to its simple and quick use features, it is practical to be used repeatedly and routinely especially in community setting and on large scale screening.
Highlights
Balance performance is considered as an indicator of functional status in the elderly, a large scale population screening and evaluation in the community context followed by proper interventions would be of great significance at public health level
Impaired functions of the above systems may result in a decrease in balance performance, which is associated with the future development or recovery of certain dysfunctions and diseases [4, 5]
This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the X16 balance testing scale for use in the assessment of balance performance in the elderly
Summary
Balance performance is considered as an indicator of functional status in the elderly, a large scale population screening and evaluation in the community context followed by proper interventions would be of great significance at public health level. Balance may be divided into static balance and dynamic balance. Static balance is the ability to retain the center of mass above the base of support in a stationary position, and dynamic balance is the ability to maintain balance while in motion or switching between positions. Balance performance is considered an indicator of the functional status in the elderly and has been applied as a measure to quantify functional limitations, determine the need for rehabilitation services, measure clinical changes, and predict health outcomes [6,7,8,9]
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