Reliability and validity of standing balance assessment index using a hand-held dynamometer in stroke patients

Abstract

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of our standing balance assessment index using a hand-held dynamometer (the hand-held dynamometer assessment index) in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The participants were 60 stroke patients with impaired standing balance. Intrarater and interrater reliabilities were evaluated employing the intraclass correlation coefficient. Criterion-related validity was evaluated by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between the HHD assessment index and the functional balance scale. [Results] The intraclass correlation coefficient values obtained ranged from 0.91 to 0.98, and the correlation coefficient with the FBS was 0.83. [Conclusion] Our findings confirmed the reliability and validity of the hand-held dynamometer assessment index in stroke patients.