Validity and reliability of the 12-item Berg Balance Scale in an Italian population with Parkinsons disease: A cross sectional study / Validade e confiabilidade da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg de 12 itens em uma população italiana com doença de Parkinson: um estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Background: The Berg Balance Scale is widely used to measure balance ability in clinical practice. Recently, the original version was redefined from 14 into 12 items. Its psychometric properties were investigated for different populations. However, for Parkinson disease the new version has not been validated yet. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the 12-item Berg Balance Scale (BBS-12) in a population with Parkinson disease. Methods: Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient, whereas reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient. For validity analysis, the Pearson correlation coefficient of the BBS-12 was evaluated with the Tinetti Scale and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Results: The BBS-12 was applied to 50 individuals with a mean age of 65.6 years (SD 11.8). The internal consistency showed a good value (Cronbach's alpha 0.886) and reproducibility reveled very high performances for both inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities (ICC 0.987 and 0.986, respectively). The validity study demonstrated good linear correlation with the Tinetti Scale (p<0.01) and with the Sport and Home Subscales of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (p<0.01). Conclusions: The present findings revealed the BBS-12 as a reliable and valid assessment tool to measure balance ability in Parkinson disease. Italian health professionals can now use it with more confidence.

RESUMO Introdução: A Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg é amplamente usada para medir a capacidade de equilíbrio na prática clínica. Recentemente, a versão original foi redefinida de 14 para 12 itens. Suas propriedades psicométricas foram investigadas para diferentes populações. No entanto, para a doença de Parkinson, a nova versão ainda não foi validada. Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg de 12 itens (Berg Balance Scale - BBS-12) em uma população com doença de Parkinson. Métodos: A consistência interna foi avaliada pelo coeficiente alfa de Cronbach, ao passo que a confiabilidade foi avaliada pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse. Para análise de validade, foi avaliado o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson da BBS-12 com a escala de Tinetti e a escala de atividade física para idosos. Resultados: A BBS-12 foi administrada a 50 indivíduos com idade média de 65,6 anos (DP 11,8). A consistência interna mostrou um valor bom (alfa de Cronbach 0.886) e a reprodutibilidade revelou desempenhos muito altos para a confiabilidade inter e intra-avaliadores (ICC 0.987 e 0.986, respectivamente). O estudo de validade demonstrou boa correlação linear com a Escala de Tinetti (p<0,01) e com as Subescalas de Esporte e Doméstica da Escala de Atividade Física para Idosos (p<0,01). Conclusões: Os resultados encontrados revelaram a BBS-12 como uma ferramenta de avaliação válida e confiável para medir a capacidade de equilíbrio na doença de Parkinson. Os profissionais de saúde italianos agora podem usá-la com mais confiança.

Validity and reliability of the 12-item Berg Balance Scale in an Italian population with Parkinson's disease: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The Berg Balance Scale is widely used to measure balance ability in clinical practice. Recently, the original version was redefined from 14 into 12 items. Its psychometric properties were investigated for different populations. However, for Parkinson disease the new version has not been validated yet. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the 12-item Berg Balance Scale (BBS-12) in a population with Parkinson disease. METHODS: Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient, whereas reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient. For validity analysis, the Pearson correlation coefficient of the BBS-12 was evaluated with the Tinetti Scale and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. RESULTS: The BBS-12 was applied to 50 individuals with a mean age of 65.6 years (SD 11.8). The internal consistency showed a good value (Cronbach's alpha 0.886) and reproducibility reveled very high performances for both inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities (ICC 0.987 and 0.986, respectively). The validity study demonstrated good linear correlation with the Tinetti Scale (p<0.01) and with the Sport and Home Subscales of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings revealed the BBS-12 as a reliable and valid assessment tool to measure balance ability in Parkinson disease. Italian health professionals can now use it with more confidence.