Reliability of the Stability Evaluation Test Over Consecutive Annual Baseline Assessments

Abstract

PURPOSE: It is recommended athletes receive annual concussion baseline testing that includes an assessment of postural control. Research has found concussion history does not correlate to baseline Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) scores. However, the BESS is not as sensitive in detecting postural control changes when compared to force plate measurements. The Stability Evaluation Test (SET) on the VSR Sport™ by NeuroCom® is an instrumented BESS and measures sway velocity. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of baseline sway velocity measurements taken during consecutive annual baseline screenings in Division I lacrosse players. METHODS: 44 healthy Division I Lacrosse Players (14 females, 30 males; age = 20.57 ± 0.99; height = 69.59” ± 3.38”; weight = 169.73lbs ± 31.24) from one university participated in the study. All players were medically cleared for full participation and did not have a history of a concussion in the last 12 months. At the start of each season, players performed the standard 3 stances of the BESS test (double leg, single-leg, tandem) on two surfaces, firm and foam, while standing on the VSR Sport™ force plate. RESULTS: A Pearson correlation analysis of the 2017 and 2018 sway velocities during each stance of the Stability Evaluation Test, found that none of the stance trials met the a priori threshold of r ≥ 0.70 to indicate good test-retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: There is not a strong correlation between baseline balance measurements taken at the start of consecutive seasons. To ensure the reliability of measurements, it is recommended annual baseline measurements be taken even in the absence of a concussion. An individualized approach is ideal in the management of a concussion injury, and baseline accuracy should be considered a critical component.