Reliability and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Mini-balance Evaluation Systems Test in Patients with Subacute Stroke

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The objective of the current study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (J-Mini-BESTest) in patients with subacute stroke. METHODS Eighteen patients who had suffered a first hemiplegic stroke (mean age, 59.1 ± 27.0 years) and had been admitted to convalescent rehabilitation wards were enrolled. The J-Mini-BESTest, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the functional reach test (FRT) were used to assess balance. Four physical therapists (PTs) observed and scored the J-Mini-BESTest while another PT conducted the test. The interrater reliability of the J-Mini-BESTest was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC[2,1]) for the total and section scores, and kappa statistics for each item. Internal consistency of the five raters was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Concurrent validity of the J-Mini-BESTest was assessed against the BBS and FRT using Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS The ICC[2,1] of the total and section scores were 0.90 (95% confidence interval: 0.81-0.95) and 0.63-0.85, respectively. Cronbach's alphas were 0.80-0.87. The kappa statistics were 0.47-1.00. The scores of the J-Mini-BESTest were significantly correlated with those of the BBS (rho=0.66, p=0.006) but not with those of the FRT (rho=-0.36, p=0.189). CONCLUSION The J-Mini-BESTest showed excellent inter-rater reliability and internal consistency. Although the J-Mini-BESTest was not correlated with the FRT, it was significantly correlated with the BBS. The J-Mini-BESTest is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating dynamic balance in patients with subacute stroke.