Reliability of Single Leg Balance Test Using Posturography

Abstract

Posturographic examination is commonly used by clinicians to evaluate standing balance. Because it is perfomed with double leg standing, it cannot sensitively detect the minor balance problem like functional ankle instability. This study aims to evaluate the test retest reliability of the single leg balance test using Tetrax posturography and its correlation with modified star excursion balance test (mSEBT). 30 healthy participants (16 male, 14 female, mean age 26.3±3.3) were volunteered for this study. We manufactured a specially designed wood plate to assess their single leg standing balance. It was set on each of the 4 force plates of Tetrax posturography (Sunlight Medical Ltd., Ramat Gan, Israel). Stability index were measured based on each single leg stance. Participants performed the single leg balance test on Tetrax posturography in three different times, and they also performed the mSEBT. The test retest reliability of stability index measured by Tetrax posturography was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient, and its correlation with the normalized composite distance of mSEBT was assessed by Pearson correlation coefficient. The single leg balance test using Tetrax posturography showed good test retest reliability. There was a negative correlation between the stability index of Tetrax posturography and the normalized composite distance of mSEBT, based on right and left leg stance, respectively. These findings suggest that Tetrax posturography is a useful and reliable tool for single leg balance assessment.