Evi Verbecque1, Paula Hentschel Lobo Da Costa2,3, Luc Vereeck1, Ann Hallemans1,4. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. 2. Department of Physical Education, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil. 3. Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. 4. Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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.
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.
Authors: Francisco-Ángel Moreno; José Antonio Merchán-Baeza; Manuel González-Sánchez; Javier González-Jiménez; Antonio I Cuesta-Vargas Journal: Sensors (Basel) Date: 2017-02-22 Impact factor: 3.576