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Validity of the Mini-BESTest in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1
Elise Duchesne1,2,3, Luc J Hébert2,4,5, Jean Mathieu2,3,6
1Health Sciences Department, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Québec, Canada.
Introduction:
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic neuromuscular disease that causes balance problems. The objective of this study was to assess the construct validity of the Mini-BESTest among adults with DM1.
Methods:
Fifty-nine individuals with late-onset or adult phenotypes of DM1 were recruited. Participants performed the Mini-BESTest, 10-Meter Walk Test (10mWT), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Timed Up & Go (TUG) and were questioned on their tendency to lose balance and whether they fell in the past month.
Results:
Scores on the Mini-BESTest were significantly different between phenotypes and CTG repeat numbers (P < .02). Significant correlations were found with the 10mWT, 6MWT, and the TUG (r = 0.77-0.84; P < .001). A cutoff score of 21.5 was found to identify fallers with 90% posttest accuracy.
Discussion:
The Mini-BESTest demonstrates evidence of construct validity when assessing balance in the DM1 population.
