Validity and Responsiveness of a Modified Balance Error Scoring System Assessment Using a Mobile Device Application...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Technology

Background:

• Static balance is frequently impaired following ankle sprains, necessitating reliable assessment tools.
• The Sway Balance Mobile Application (SWAY App) offers an accessible smartphone/tablet-based method for evaluating postural sway during the modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS) assessment.
• This application shows potential for quantifying static balance changes after injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the construct validity of a mobile device mBESS assessment in differentiating between individuals with ankle sprains and healthy controls.
• To assess the responsiveness of the mobile device mBESS to changes in static balance over time during recovery from acute ankle sprain.
• To validate the mBESS assessment using the SWAY App against established laboratory measures of static balance.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 22 military academy Cadets with acute ankle sprains and 20 healthy Cadets.
• Participants underwent assessments including self-reported function, range of motion, dynamic balance, and static balance using the mBESS via the SWAY App.
• Individuals with ankle sprains were assessed at baseline (within two weeks of injury) and after four weeks of rehabilitation, with statistical analyses including t-tests and Pearson's correlation coefficients.

Main Results:

• The SWAY App-measured mBESS scores were significantly lower in the ankle sprain group compared to controls (t = 3.15, p = 0.004).
• Injured participants showed significant improvement in SWAY App-measured mBESS scores after four weeks of rehabilitation (t = 3.31, p = 0.004).
• The SWAY App mBESS demonstrated moderate to good correlation with a laboratory static balance measure (r = -0.59, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• The mBESS assessment utilizing a mobile device application is a valid and responsive clinical tool for evaluating static balance.
• The SWAY App demonstrated construct validity by distinguishing between healthy and injured groups.
• The tool showed concurrent validity through correlation with laboratory measures and responsiveness to balance changes during recovery.