The reliability, distribution, and responsiveness of the Postural Control and Balance for Stroke Test.

Objectives: To determine the inter- and intrarater reliability of the Postural Control and Balance for Stroke (PCBS) test and to assess its distribution and responsiveness to changes during 1-year follow-up.

Design: Intrarater reliability of the PCBS test was assessed by comparing the repeat ratings of videotaped test performances by each of the 5 raters. Interrater reliability was assessed by comparing the ratings of the videotaped test performances between the raters.

Setting: Hospital neurologic ward and outpatient department of physiotherapy as well as health centers in Finland.

Participants: Fifty stroke patients (age range, 42-89 y) were measured 7, 120, and 360 days poststroke for the study of distribution and responsiveness and 19 patients (age range, 55-85 y) were measured during a period between 7 and 60 days poststroke for the reliability study.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: The distributions of the scores of the PCBS test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted kappa values, and Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests.

Results: The PCBS test had limited floor and ceiling effects at 7, 120, and 360 days poststroke. The differences between scores 7 and 120 days poststroke were significant (P<.001). The differences between scores 120 and 360 days poststroke were not significant (P>.05). The Cronbach alpha for all the items combined was .96. The ICC values for the interrater and intrarater reliability of the PCBS test were .94 and .96, respectively.

Conclusions: The PCBS test showed an acceptable level of reliability and the responsiveness results indicated a good level before 120 days but not between 120 and 360 days after stroke.