Cross Cultural Adaptation of Berg Balance Scale in Greek for Various Balance Impairments

Abstract

Volume 2 • Issue 1 • 100011 Most translations to the target language have been undertaken according recommendations of using double directed (forward and backward) translation process [17-21]. Psychometric characteristics of reliability and validity of the adapted versions are shown in table 1. Almost all adapted versions showed high intra-and inter-rater reliability and internal consistency [4,18,20,22,24,25]. The Italian [17], Turkish [22], Brazilian-Portuguese [26] and French [23] versions presented good construct and criterion validity in correlation with other balance measurements. Despite its popularity, BBS has not been cross culturally adapted into the Greek language and setting. A Greek study of Chatzitheo-dorou et al., [27] tested its reliability regarding gender and the falls' history in 60 elderly with very good results, but this study did not refer to any kind of official translation of the scale with consideration of cross cultural adaptation guidelines and no evaluation of cross cultural validation in Greek has been undertaken. Therefore, the aim of this study is to cross culturally adapt and validate the BBS in Greek adults with balance impairments. An officially translated and scientifically adapted tool would be of great value for a valid balance assessment in Greek patients.