The sensitivity and specificity of the balance evaluation systems test-BESTest in determining risk of fall in stroke patients

Balance disorders cause disability in stroke and increase risk of falls. The Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), examines balance, determines parameters causing balance disorders, provides information on risk factors for falls.

To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of the BESTest in determining the risk of falls in stroke patients.

Fifty patients with chronic stroke were included in the study. Balance was assessed using BESTest, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Activity Specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC) and Biodex-BioSway Balance System. To examine the content validity of BESTest, the relationship between BESTest and other balance assessment methods was examined. The internal consistency reliability of BESTest was evaluated by Cronbach's α coefficient. Analysis of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) was performed to determine cut-off point, sensitivity and specificity.

BESTest, BBS, ABC and Biodex-BioSway Balance System results of faller stroke patients were worse than that of non-faller (p <0.05). Internal consistency of BESTest was found to be Cronbach's α = 0.960. The BESTest value of area under curve (AUC) was 0.844, with a cut-off point of 69.44%, a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 84.6% (p < 0.01).

BESTest is reliable and valid with high sensitivity and specificity in determining the risk of fall in stroke patients.