Intertester reliability of assessing postural sway using the chattecx balance system

In this study, we examined intertester reliability of dynamic and static balance using the Chattecx Dynamic Balance System. Ten female and two male subjects were randomly assigned to two testers and completed ten, 10-second preprogrammed double- and single-leg test conditions. Balance was measured as postural sway in centimeters by the Chattecx Dynamic Balance System. Static balance consisted of the platform remaining stable, whereas dynamic balance consisted of the platform tilting in an anterior and posterior direction during testing. The protocols and average postural sway values were:1. Double-Leg Static Eyes Open ([unk] = .28 cm)2. Double-Leg Static Eyes Closed ([unk] = .37 cm)3. Double-Leg Dynamic Eyes Open ([unk] = .86 cm)4. Double-Leg Dynamic Eyes Closed ([unk] = 1.72 cm)5. Single-Leg Static Dominant Eyes Open ([unk] = .99 cm)6. Single-Leg Static Dominant Eyes Closed ([unk] = 1.70 cm)7. Single-Leg Static Nondominant Eyes Open ([unk] = .65 cm)8. Single-Leg Static Nondominant Eyes Closed ([unk] = 1.48 cm)9. Single-Leg Dynamic Dominant Eyes Open ([unk] = .99cm)10. Single-Leg Dynamic Nondominant Eyes Open ([unk] = .91 cm).The mean values of postural sway ranged from .28 cm to 1.72 cm for double-leg stance measures and from .65 cm to 1.70 cm for the single-leg stance measures. The intraclass correlations (ICCs)(2,1) ranged from poor to excellent (ICCs = .06 to .90) and the standard error of measurement (SEM) ranged from .06 to .34 for the 10 trials. We feel that variability exists between subjects and/or testers between trials. The wide range of reliability values suggests that further research should determine both intratester and intertester reliability using a variety of protocols for assessment of static and dynamic balance.