Estimating postural control with the balance rehabilitation unit: Measurement consistency, accuracy, validity, and comparison with dynamic posturography

Abstract

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties (test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, construct validity) of the Balance Rehabilitation Unit (BRU) during testing of sensory integration processes in healthy adults and individuals with vestibular disorders. Design: Experimental cross-sectional design. Setting: Clinic. Participants: Participants (N=90) included 30 subjects with vestibular disorders (age range, 18-85y), 30 young healthy adults (age range, 18-50y), and 30 older healthy adults (age range, 60-85y). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Participants were tested twice with the BRU and once with the SMART EquiTest Sensory Organization Test (SOT). The center of pressure (COP) in the anteroposterior direction (COPap) and the COP in the mediolateral direction (COPml) were recorded. The COP ap and COPml time series were used to estimate the area and velocity of the COP. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient of the COP area and velocity measures for the BRU for all subjects was at least.76 in all sensory organization conditions (P