Colby Hansen1, Dan Cushman, Nicholas Anderson, Wei Chen, Christine Cheng, Shirley D Hon, Man Hung. 1. *Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah;†Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah;‡College of Pharmacy, Roseman University, South Jordan, Utah;Departments of §Electrical & Computer Engineering; and¶Orthopaedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Pediatric head injuries occur commonly and are being reported in increasing numbers. Balance testing is a key component in the evaluation of suspected concussion, and the balance error scoring system (BESS) is likely the most well-known and widely used measure. To date, normative BESS scores for adults have been reported but not for children. DESIGN: Normative data for BESS scores and modified BESS scores were created in a cohort of healthy children. Potential variables were analyzed as predictors of BESS performance. SETTING: Local elementary and junior high schools. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 373 healthy children between the ages of 5 and 14. INTERVENTIONS: The BESS was performed on all children. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Gender, body mass index percentile, previous concussions, athletic participation, age, and the parental opinion of child's balance ability were examined as factors associated with the BESS score. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BESS scores. RESULTS: Normative data are reported, stratified by age groups of 5 to 7 years, 8 to 10 years, and 11 to 14 years of age, for both BESS and modified BESS. Median BESS scores are 23 for children aged 5 to 7, 18 for children aged 8 to 10, and 16 for children aged 11 to 14. Median modified BESS scores are 8 for children age 5 to 7, 5 for children age 8 to 10, and 4 for children age 11 to 14. Increasing age and positive parental opinion regarding their child's balance ability were independently correlated with decreasing BESS scores (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The normative data on BESS scores for healthy children reported here provide age-stratified reference values for suspected balance alterations.
OBJECTIVE: Pediatric head injuries occur commonly and are being reported in increasing numbers. Balance testing is a key component in the evaluation of suspected concussion, and the balance error scoring system (BESS) is likely the most well-known and widely used measure. To date, normative BESS scores for adults have been reported but not for children. DESIGN: Normative data for BESS scores and modified BESS scores were created in a cohort of healthy children. Potential variables were analyzed as predictors of BESS performance. SETTING: Local elementary and junior high schools. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 373 healthy children between the ages of 5 and 14. INTERVENTIONS: The BESS was performed on all children. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Gender, body mass index percentile, previous concussions, athletic participation, age, and the parental opinion of child's balance ability were examined as factors associated with the BESS score. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BESS scores. RESULTS: Normative data are reported, stratified by age groups of 5 to 7 years, 8 to 10 years, and 11 to 14 years of age, for both BESS and modified BESS. Median BESS scores are 23 for children aged 5 to 7, 18 for children aged 8 to 10, and 16 for children aged 11 to 14. Median modified BESS scores are 8 for children age 5 to 7, 5 for children age 8 to 10, and 4 for children age 11 to 14. Increasing age and positive parental opinion regarding their child's balance ability were independently correlated with decreasing BESS scores (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The normative data on BESS scores for healthy children reported here provide age-stratified reference values for suspected balance alterations.
Authors: Sarah J Ozinga; Susan M Linder; Mandy Miller Koop; Tanujit Dey; Richard Figler; Andrew N Russman; Richard So; Alan H Rosenthal; Jason Cruickshank; Jay L Alberts Journal: J Athl Train Date: 2018-08-15 Impact factor: 2.860