Reliability and validity of the mCTSIB dynamic platform test to assess balance in a population of older women living in the community.

Objectives: Test the reliability and validity of the modified Clinical test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (mCTSIB) of the Balance Platform Biodex Balance System (BBS) in a female community dwelling population.

Method: 100 women over 65 years community dwellers mean age 71.8 (SD±6, ranging from 65 to 91) years, were examined using the posturography modified Clinical test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) protocol of the Biodex Balance system SD and the Greek Mini-Best Test (miniBESTest-GR) to assess concurrent validity, with 24 undergoing a second measurement after one week to test the reliability of the method.

Results: The m-CTSIB-"Composite Score" test was significantly and positively correlated with the mini-BESTest-GR (r= -0.652, p<0.001) indicating good validity properties. The test-retest reliability was measured using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) using a two-way mixed-effects absolute-agreement single-measurement model, among the two measurements of mCTSIB test (test-retest). No statistical difference was found between the two samples (N1=100, N2=24, t= -1.755, df=122, p=0.08). ICC estimates as 0.628 with 95% confident interval=0.31-0.82.

Conclusion: The mCTSIB test from the BBS has a moderate validity and reliability to evaluate balance in elderly women living in the community and can be used as a screening tool.