A multivariate examination of temporal changes in Berg Balance Scale items for patients with ASIA Impairment Scale C and D spinal cord injuries.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a multivariate examination of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) as a first step in developing a balance tool for the SCI population.

DESIGN

Observational cohort.

SETTING

The NeuroRecovery Network (NRN), a specialized network of treatment centers providing standardized, activity-based therapy for patients with SCI.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients (N=97) with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale C or D SCI who were enrolled in the NRN between March 1, 2005, and June 12, 2007.

INTERVENTIONS

All enrolled patients received 3 to 5 locomotor training sessions a week, according to NRN protocol, and were periodically evaluated for progress on functional outcome measurements.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Scores on the items of the BBS, six-minute walk test distances, ten-meter walk test speeds, and scores on the SCI Functional Ambulation Index. Temporal rates of change of the BBS items were examined with a principal components and correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The first principal component accounted for nearly half of the overall variability in the BBS, correlated well with rates of change in functional mobility measures, and had good stability in its composition as verified by a resampling analysis. Further analysis showed that the composition of the first principal component varied with the patient's level of recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

The BBS captures a significant amount of information about balance recovery in persons with SCI and may be a good foundation for a balance tool. However, the utility of BBS items may be dependent on a patient's level of recovery. A dynamic balance instrument for the SCI population may be needed.