Balance Assessment Research Articles

전과정평가를 통한 자연기반해법 조성 탄소환불기간 분석 연구

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBS) as carbon sinks by estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and absorption through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The study focused on a designated area within the Han Gang River water source management region, calculating GHG emissions and absorption during the implementation of NbS, and deriving the carbon payback period. The results indicate that a total of 5.71 tCO2 of GHGs were emitted during the NBS implementation process, and 150.58 tCO2 were absorbed by 2050. The carbon payback period was estimated to be approximately three years. This research highlights the importance of considering GHG emissions during the NBS implementation process to enhance its effectiveness and suggests the need for further studies for more accurate carbon balance assessments.

Exploring the Effects of Sensorimotor Training and Relaxation Therapy on Postural Control, Balance, Sleep, and Stress in Sedentary Young Adults: Rationale, Design, and Methodology.

Postural control (PC) and sleep are critical in several aspects of health. Poor sleep negatively influences PC and balance, which is necessary for performing various tasks, from reaching to mobility. Moreover, sleep disturbances and consequent PC and balance deterioration are associated with job accidents, traffic accidents, falls, and injuries. Healthy adults who have inadequate sleep show a decline in optimal functioning, even in the absence of medical illnesses. This suggests that getting enough sleep, both in duration and quality, is essential to maintain optimal health. Moreover, inadequate sleep has also been observed to have a bidirectional relationship with stress levels. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the impact of non-pharmacological treatments to improve PC, sleep, and stress in the sedentary young adult (YA) population. This article describes the protocol for a study to investigate the effects of sensorimotor training and relaxation therapy on various static and dynamic PC tests, balance measures, and subjective and objective indices of sleep and stress among sedentary YAs with impaired sleep quality. The protocol is also designed to evaluate the effect of these therapies on fatigue, salivary cortisol levels, anxiety, and depression. Methods for assessing the sleep architecture, static and dynamic PC, balance, and stress are described along with the methods of scoring with the primary goal of providing a standardized set of assessment and scoring procedures according to the latest guidelines and gold-standard techniques and measures that can be used reliably at different laboratories. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Postural control assessment Basic Protocol 2: Balance assessment Basic Protocol 3: Sleep architecture assessment Basic Protocol 4: Salivary cortisol analysis.

Non-carbon benefits of REDD+ implementation and sustainable emission reductions – a review

ABSTRACT REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) is a potentially powerful policy instrument for climate change, considering the continued loss of tropical forests. While emissions reductions are the primary aim, the Warsaw Framework for REDD+ recognizes the significance of non-carbon benefits to countries in the Global South. We here attempt to provide a balanced assessment of the achievements over the first decade of this policy instrument, paying special attention to whether non-carbon benefits to tropical countries are materialising. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses principles, 136 studies were identified and screened for evidence. We observe that, while forest governance structures have been strengthened, delivery of environmental and socio-economic non-carbon benefits to forest communities appears to be unsystematic, partly due to the absence of formally agreed guidance on how they could be provided. As REDD+ programmes often impinge directly on the livelihoods of local communities, non-timber forest products are sometimes promoted as alternatives to forestry commodities, even if they provide scant compensation. Except for Ghana’s cocoa program, commodity-driven value chains tend to be neglected. As more funds are expected to finance REDD+ programmes, there could be opportunities for innovation in the delivery of non-carbon benefits.

Effects of the intermittent theta burst stimulation on gait, balance and lower limbs motor function in stroke: study protocol for a double-blind randomised controlled trial with multimodal neuroimaging assessments

IntroductionApproximately, 50% of stroke survivors experience impaired walking ability 6 months after conventional rehabilitation and standard care. However, compared with upper limb motor function, research on lower limbs rehabilitation through...

Quality of life and work-life balance among Nurse Educators in the Schools of Nursing in Sri Lanka

Objective: The study aimed to assess the quality of life and work-life balance (WLB) among Nurse Educators in the Schools of Nursing in Sri Lanka. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 257 Nurse educators in all schools of Nursing in Sri Lanka. Data were collected by using validated and pretested self-administered questionnaires which include Socio-demographic details, a validated quality of life questionnaire (WHO QOL – BREF), and a Work Life Balance assessment scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The overall mean perceived QOL and health of the participants were 3.82 (±0.66) and 3.82 (±0.69) respectively. Participants obtained a high score for the social relationship domain (98.83/100) and a low score for the environmental domain (19.96/100) of the QOL. Findings of the work=life balance revealed an overall mean of 2.87 (SD=1.5) which indicates neither agree nor disagree with work-life interference with personal life and an overall mean of 2.53 (SD=0.96) which indicates neither agree nor disagree with personal life interference with work (PLIW). Conclusions: Nurse educators perceive a moderate level of personal life interference with work, but overall, they acknowledge work/personal life enhancement. These results highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of work-life balance among nurse educators.

Patient Management System Using Fuzzy Multiple Attribute Decision Making Method with SAW at Noura Aesthetic Clinic

This study presents the development and implementation of a Patient Management System (PMS) at Noura Aesthetic Clinic using the Fuzzy Multiple Attribute Decision Making (FMADM) method with Simple Additive Weighting (SAW). The aim is to enhance the decision-making process for patient treatment prioritization and management. The PMS integrates various patient attributes, including medical history, treatment urgency, and resource availability, into a comprehensive decision-making framework. By employing the FMADM method, the system addresses the inherent uncertainties and subjectivities in patient data, ensuring more accurate and reliable prioritization. The SAW technique further refines this process by assigning weighted scores to each attribute, facilitating a straightforward and effective comparison. This combination allows for a balanced assessment of multiple factors, promoting optimal resource allocation and improving overall patient care. The implementation at Noura Aesthetic Clinic demonstrated significant improvements in operational efficiency and patient satisfaction. The system's adaptability to diverse clinical settings and its user-friendly interface make it a valuable tool for healthcare providers. This study underscores the potential of advanced decision-making methodologies in transforming patient management practices, paving the way for more informed and equitable healthcare delivery.

Sustainable synthesis pathways: Bacterial nanocellulose from lignocellulosic biomass for circular economy initiatives

The hydrothermal pretreatment process stands out as a pivotal step in breaking down the hemicellulosic fraction of lignocellulosic biomasses, such as sugarcane bagasse and eucalyptus sawdust. This pretreatment step is crucial for preparing these materials for subsequent processes, particularly in food applications. This technique aims to disintegrate plant wall components like cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, and facilitating access in later phases such as enzymatic hydrolysis, and ultimately making fermentable sugars available. In this study, sugarcane bagasse and eucalyptus sawdust biomass underwent hydrothermal pretreatment at specific conditions, yielding two key components: dry biomass and hemicellulose liquor. The primary focus was to assess the impact of hydrothermal pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis, using the Celic Ctec III enzyme cocktail, to obtain fermentable sugars. These sugars were then transformed into membranes via strain Gluconacetobacter xylinus bacterial biosynthesis. Notably, the addition of a nitrogen source significantly boosted production to 14.76 g/ in hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse, underscoring its vital role in bacterial metabolism. Conversely, in hydrolyzed eucalyptus, nitrogen source inclusion unexpectedly decreased yield, highlighting the intricate interactions in fermentation media and the pivotal influence of nitrogen supplementation. Characterization of membranes obtained in synthetic and hydrolyzed media through techniques such as FEG-SEM, FTIR, and TGA, followed by mass balance assessment, gauged their viability on an industrial scale. This comprehensive study aimed not only to understand the effects of pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis but to also evaluate the applicability and sustainability of the process on a large scale, providing crucial insights into its feasibility and efficiency in practical food-related scenarios, utilizing nanocellulose bacterial (BNC) as a key component.

Technorealizm wobec społecznych konsekwencji techniki

In the article, I review and analyze the axiological reflection on the role of technology in social life, represented by philosophers whom I classify as techno-realists. Techno-realism is the intermediate position in the axiology of technology, between techno-pessimism and techno-optimism. I briefly present the history of this way of philosophizing. I cover the history of the thinking of techno-realists belonging to philosophy of culture and philosophy of technology, including Lewis Mumford, Martin Heidegger, Leszek Kołakowski, Langdon Winner, Shoshana Zuboff and Juval noi Hararri. Next, I discuss new ideas of techno-realists from the group of philosophers of engineering (including Carl Mitcham), as well as the views of practitioners/engineers. Techno-realism formulates balanced assessments of technological artifacts and thus can provide people with arguments in their problematic encounters with the latest technological products, as well as encourage specific actions in social life in the era of the third modernity, especially in the education of children and youth.

Knowledge Leaks in Data-Driven Business Models? Exploring Different Types of Knowledge Risks and Protection Measures

Data-driven business models imply the inter-organisational exchange of data or similar value objects. Data science methods enable organisations to discover patterns and eventually knowledge from data. Further, by training machine learning models, knowledge is materialised in those models. Thus, organisations might risk the exposure of competitive knowledge by sharing data-related value objects, such as data, models or predictions. Although knowledge risks have been studied in traditional business models, little research has been conducted in the direction of data-driven business models. In this explorative qualitative study, we conducted 28 expert interviews in three rounds (two exploratory and one evaluatory) and identified five types of risks along the three basic types of value objects: data, models and predictions. These risks depend on the context, i.e., when competitive knowledge could be discovered from shared value objects. We found that those risks can be mitigated by technology, contractual regulations, trusted relationships, and adjusting the business model design. In this study, we show that the risk of knowledge leakage is a relevant risk factor in data-driven business models. Overall, knowledge risks should be considered already during business model design, and their management requires an interdisciplinary approach via a balanced assessment. The level of knowledge protection from a technology perspective highly depends on computer science innovations and thus is a moving target. As an outlook, we suggest that knowledge risk will become even more relevant with the extensive usage of machine learning and artificial intelligence in data-driven business models.

Improvements to a Crucial Budyko-Fu Parameter and Evapotranspiration Estimates via Vegetation Optical Depth over the Yellow River Basin

Against the backdrop of global warming and vegetation restoration, research on the evapotranspiration mechanism of the Yellow River basin has become a hot topic. The Budyko-Fu model is widely used to estimate basin-scale evapotranspiration, and its crucial parameter ω is used to characterize the underlying surface and climate characteristics of different basins. However, most studies only use factors such as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), which represents the greenness of vegetation, to quantify the relationship between ω and the underlying surface, thereby neglecting richer vegetation information. In this study, we used long time-series multi-source remote sensing data from 1988 to 2015 and stepwise regression to establish dynamic estimation models of parameter ω for three subwatersheds of the upper Yellow River and quantify the contribution of underlying surface factors and climate factors to this parameter. In particular, vegetation optical depth (VOD) was introduced to represent plant biomass to improve the applicability of the model. The results showed that the dynamic estimation models of parameter ω established for the three subwatersheds were reasonable (R2 = 0.60, 0.80, and 0.40), and parameter ω was significantly correlated with the VOD and standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) in all watersheds. The dominant factors affecting the parameter in the different subwatersheds also differed, with underlying surface factors mainly affecting the parameter in the watershed before Longyang Gorge (BLG) (contributing 64% to 76%) and the watershed from Lanzhou to Hekou Town (LHT) (contributing 63% to 83%) and climate factors mainly affecting the parameter in the watershed from Longyang Gorge to Lanzhou (LGL) (contributing 75% to 93%). The results of this study reveal the changing mechanism of evapotranspiration in the Yellow River watershed and provide an important scientific basis for regional water balance assessment, global change response, and sustainable development.

Calcium isotope composition in serum and urine for the assessment of bone mineral balance (BMB) – The Osteolabs post-market follow-up study

To further explore the clinical applicability of the calcium (Ca) isotope marker (CIM), we determined the 44Ca/42Ca isotope ratio in blood serum and urine. This ratio is expressed in the conventional δ-notation (as defined in the text below) specifically as CIM-serum for serum and as CIM-urine for urine. Our study tested the hypothesis that CIM values can differentiate between positive and negative bone mineral balance (BMB) across a diverse clinical population considering variables such as age, gender, and diet. The threshold values (CIM-serum: −0.85 ± 0.06 ‰ and CIM-urine: 0.23 ± 0.06 ‰) established in the OsteoGeo study (NCT02967978, Eisenhauer et al., 2019) were evaluated in 2320 participants as part of a surveillance study referred to as Osteolabs study. The earlier study revealed women with osteoporosis had an average CIM-serum value of −0.91 ± 0.21 ‰ (N = 24) and a CIM-urine value of 0.18 ± 0.33 ‰ (N = 71) that are significantly below the threshold values (p = 0.02 for urine, one-sided Wilcoxon rank test, p < 0.001 for serum, one-sided Student's t-test). Diseases affecting BMB such as osteoporosis, acute and chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperthyroidism, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and myeloma were associated with significantly lower average CIM values, falling below the equilibrium thresholds and indicating negative BMB. In contrast, patients receiving osteoprotective treatments such as denosumab, Romosozumab, bisphosphonates, or hormone replacement therapy for certain diseases, had CIM values above the equilibrium thresholds indicating a positive BMB. Additionally, Ca supplements taken by some of the patients ((N = 22 (serum), N = 49 (urine), median dose: 500 mg) showed a Ca isotope composition approximately 1 ‰ higher than that from a normal diet. Consequently, their CIM values need to be adjusted to account for the amount and duration of supplementation to be comparable to those with a normal diet. Participants taking vitamin D (237 women; 58 men) showed no significant difference from the average values of the study group. Counterintuitively, the possible impact of malnutrition on individual BMB was most pronounced in vegans, who exhibited the highest average CIM-urine values compared to patients on a normal diet (p < 0.001, N = 17). The results of this study were consistent with the registered OsteoGeo study (NCT02967978) and other earlier published Ca isotope-based studies on BMB. We confirm that the CIM threshold values determined in the OsteoGeo study are generally valid for this much larger and diverse surveillance study group covering a diverse population encompassing various medical conditions and therapies.

Implications of the Global Race to Net-Zero by 2050 for the Strategic Fleet of Coal-Fired Power Plants in SADC

This paper discusses the coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in the context of the net-zero by 2050 initiative. It describes recent global climate change responses impacting the operation of CFPPs, and the medium-to-long term prospects for coal power. The paper then discusses the motivators and strategies for sustaining the operations of CFPPs in SADC, and why the international community has to let countries in the region and other small developing nations, transition to renewable energies at a more measured pace. It also offers actionable insights on sustainable financing options for upgrading the region’s CFPPs and just energy transitions. Following a balanced assessment of the facts and broad issues discussed herein including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7, 10, 13, and 17; the paper concludes that most of the CFPPs in SADC are likely to remain operational way beyond the phase out deadlines despite lacking emissions abatement technologies. The pressing and burgeoning need for electricity and the huge coal reserves in the region are the determinants, rather than international norms or political correctness. However, no development institution or major country will finance any new CFPP projects in SADC, but renewable energy projects instead. Thus, national energy policymakers and power utilities in the region are recommended to revise the current energy policies to include renewable energy expansion and obliterate any mentions of proposed or planned CFPPs. SADC governments need to engage in public dissemination campaigns about the impending energy transition implications for all citizens and map out pragmatic cushioning strategies. Concurrently, they need to support innovations and entrepreneurship in renewable energies and work on improving national creditworthiness scores, to attract climate finance.

Revealing the Hidden Impacts: Insights into Biological Aging and Long-Term Effects in Pauci- and Asymptomatic COVID-19 Healthcare Workers.

This study explores the role of inflammation and oxidative stress, hallmarks of COVID-19, in accelerating cellular biological aging. We investigated early molecular markers-DNA methylation age (DNAmAge) and telomere length (TL)-in blood leukocytes, nasal cells (NCs), and induced sputum (IS) one year post-infection in pauci- and asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) infected during the first pandemic wave (February-May 2020), compared to COPD patients, model for "aged lung". Data from questionnaires, Work Ability Index (WAI), blood analyses, autonomic cardiac balance assessments, heart rate variability (HRV), and pulmonary function tests were collected. Elevated leukocyte DNAmAge significantly correlated with advancing age, male sex, daytime work, and an aged phenotype characterized by chronic diseases, elevated LDL and glycemia levels, medications affecting HRV, and declines in lung function, WAI, lymphocyte count, hemoglobin levels, and HRV (p < 0.05). Increasing age, LDL levels, job positions involving intensive patient contact, and higher leukocyte counts collectively contributed to shortened leukocyte TL (p < 0.05). Notably, HCWs exhibited accelerated biological aging in IS cells compared to both blood leukocytes (p ≤ 0.05) and NCs (p < 0.001) and were biologically older than COPD patients (p < 0.05). These findings suggest the need to monitor aging in pauci- and asymptomatic COVID-19 survivors, who represent the majority of the general population.

Assessment strategies and challenges of teachers in evaluating students during online learning

Education was forced to modify face-to-face classes into three pedagogical approaches: synchronous, asynchronous, and blended learning, requiring teachers to change the grading system, assessment, and evaluation of student performance. This study aimed to determine the assessment tools, strategies, and challenges that teachers encounter during online learning. The researchers conducted an online and face-to-face survey that consisted of 75 questions to 50 online teachers who were selected through convenience sampling from seven public and private elementary schools. Findings indicate that most teachers apply traditional assessment strategies to evaluate students in online learning. Some online assessment applications like Edpuzzle, Google Classroom, Kahoot, and Quizzes are rarely used to assess student learning. Teachers, however, frequently utilized Facebook and Messenger in delivering assessments. They applied multiple assessment strategies in online learning to accommodate the learning styles of their students. However, data revealed that most teachers have difficulty ensuring the quality of participation, integrating authentic assessment into online learning, and using online assessment applications. It is recommended for teachers to provide their students with balanced assessment, timely communication, constructive feedback, group multimedia projects, appropriate instructional materials, and alternative online tools to enable meaningful learning.

Role of magnesium sulfate in pregnancy: A comprehensive review of benefits and risks

Magnesium sulfate is a versatile therapeutic agent in maternal-fetal medicine, and its use during pregnancy has led to various clinical scenarios. This comprehensive review examines the multifaceted role of magnesium sulfate, addressing its benefits and potential risks. The mineral compound is limited for its efficacy in preventing and managing preeclampsia and eclampsia, providing neuroprotection for preterm infants, delaying preterm labor, and offering potential advantages in maternal and fetal health. However, its administration is complex, encompassing a range of maternal and fetal side effects and long-term implications. The decision to utilize magnesium sulfate during pregnancy necessitates a balanced assessment of its advantages and disadvantages, underscored by patient-centered care and shared decision-making. Future research and practice guidelines include pursuing personalized medicine, optimal dosing and administration, long-term follow-up, global health initiatives, and ethical considerations. The evolving landscape of research and emerging insights will continue to enhance maternal care and contribute to improved health outcomes for pregnant women and their infants.

“Mr. Thiers’ Republic” in the Assessments of Russian Diplomatians, August 1871 – October 1872

The author explores the history of the establishment of the republican system in France in the early 1870s. The period is associated with the activities of the first President of the Third Republic, Adolphe Thiers (1871–1873). Russian diplomats in Paris, Ambassador Prince Nikolai Orlov and Embassy Counselor Grigory Okunev, witnessed first-hand Thiers’ efforts to stabilise France after its defeat in the War of 1871. They developed a trusting relationship with Thiers, who initiated Russian diplomats into his plans. For this reason, the study of dispatches, letters, and analytical notes regularly sent from the Paris Embassy to St. Petersburg is of particular interest to those who study the initial period of the formation of the Third Republic. Until recently, this type of sources has attracted little attention on the part of researchers. This article fills up this obvious gap. The study of diplomatic communications demonstrates that Russian diplomats were quite objective in their analysis of the internal political processes taking place in France after the end of the Franco-German War. They gave a balanced assessment of Thiers’ work, tracing the evolution of his views from constitutional monarchist to conservative republican. The chronological framework of the article covers the period from Thiers’ election as President of the Republic in August 1871 to October 1872, when a crisis arose in his relations with the monarchist majority of the National Assembly.

GeoGOBLIN: A catchment-scale land balance model for assessment of climate mitigation pathways considering environmental trade-offs for multiple impact categories

GeoGOBLIN, a novel environmental impact and land balance assessment tool, builds upon the GOBLIN biophysical land use emissions model for Ireland, offering enhanced resolution and system-level detail. It combines remotely sensed data and national agricultural census data to model climate change, air quality, and eutrophication emissions at the catchment level. Integration of the CBM-CFS3 forest carbon modelling framework (utilised in Ireland's National Inventory Report) increases alignment with national emissions reporting. GeoGOBLIN disaggregates emissions by life cycle assessment impact categories, making it a valuable tool for policymakers and researchers evaluating environmental and economic trade-offs associated with land-use scenarios. Illustrative scenarios demonstrate GeoGOBLIN's ability to assess the multifaceted impacts of alternative land uses, supporting informed decision-making for sustainable land use, food production, and a circular bioeconomy.

Wobble Board Performance: A Practical and Useful Quantification in Balance Assessment

Balance is integral in ankle injury prevention and therapy, especially in high-risk sports like volleyball. For balance assessment, the recommended wobble board (WB) performance (i.e., time at equilibrium) has never been compared with the gold standard. The objective was to investigate the relationships of force-plate-derived center of pressure (CoP) with WB performance and the accuracy of WB-derived CoP estimates. Twelve high-level volleyball players completed six unipedal standing trials on a computerized WB. WB tilt angles and CoP were obtained simultaneously via tri-axis accelerometers on the WB (200 Hz) and a force plate (1000 Hz), respectively. WB performance, polynomial-transformed CoP estimates, and CoP fractal sway, sway area, and mean sway velocity were assessed via Pearson and concordance correlation, root mean square errors, and dependent t-tests. WB performance was related with CoP sway and sway area (|rlinear| = 0.714–0.842, |rnonlinear| = 0.833–0.910, p &lt; 0.01). The strongest concordance (0.878–0.893, p &lt; 0.001) and smallest errors (6.5–10.7%) were reported for anterior–posterior sway and sway area. Moderate to excellent relationships between the WB performance and force plate CoP variables supported the usefulness of WB performance and estimates (especially sway area) in balance assessment. Furthermore, this study presents recommendations for future analyses and modeling approaches to reflect the complexity of postural control.

Acute effect of myofascial stretching exercise on spasticity, balance, ambulation status and mobility of posterior chain muscles in multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the acute effect of myofascial stretching exercises on spasticity, balance, ambulation status and mobility of posterior chain muscles in multiple sclerosis. Method The study was conducted as a randomised controlled experimental study. The study included a total of 80 individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) with a mean age of 43.5 ± 9.62 years (experimental group) and 41.4 ± 10.4 years (control group). All individuals were treated once and evaluated before and after the session. After recording the sociodemographic characteristics, spasticity assessment was performed with the Modified Ashword Scale (MAS), balance assessment with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), ambulation status with the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and posterior chain muscle mobility (PCMM) with finger-to-ground distance measurement. Results The TUG (time to complete the distance) measurements of the experimental group after treatment were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The value of PCMM measurements of the experimental group before the treatment was lower than that of the control group (p < 0.001). The difference in positive increase in PCMM measurements in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). After the treatment, the MAS value in the left knee of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Discussion Myofascial stretching exercises applied to individuals with MS made an acute contribution to ambulation status and mobility of posterior chain muscles. There was no difference in the evaluation of spasticity and balance.

Usefulness of the Kansas University Standing Balance Scale in inpatient rehabilitation: a retrospective validation study.

Adequate balance assessment is essential for designing rehabilitation programs and preventing falls. This study aimed to report the cross-cultural adaptation of the Korean version of the Kansas University Standing Balance Scale (KUSBS), investigate its concurrent and predictive validities, and examine aging-related differences. The adaptation was performed using a standard protocol. In this retrospective study, 1179 patients were included and classified into adult, young-old, old-old, and oldest-old groups. Furthermore, we compared the concurrent, discriminant, and predictive validities of the KUSBS and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Nonparametric analysis was also conducted. The Spearman rho test revealed strong correlation coefficients between the KUSBS and BBS (r s > 0.7; P < 0.001). At admission, the relationship was strong in the adult, young-old, and old-old groups (r s = 0.931, 0.913, and 0.914, respectively; P < 0.001) but not the oldest-old group (r s = 0.790; P < 0.001). At discharge, the correlation coefficients were above 0.9 in all groups. Additionally, the relationship between the changes in both scales was moderate-to-strong (r s > 0.68; P < 0.001). The predictive validity for independent walking of the KUSBS was strong (r s = 0.791; P < 0.001) and significantly lower than that of the BBS (r s = 0.833; P < 0.001; Z = -3.001; P = 0.003). Furthermore, the cutoff value of the KUSBS at admission to predict independent ambulatory walkers at discharge was 3.5 in ordinal ranking in all age groups. The KUSBS is a reliable and effective tool for measuring balance in patients in inpatient rehabilitation.