Validity and Reliability of the Videoconference-Based Berg Balance Scale in Stroke Survivors: The Tele-Berg Balance...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health

Background:

• Telerehabilitation offers a viable alternative for patients facing challenges in accessing traditional healthcare services.
• Assessing the reliability and validity of telerehabilitation tools is crucial for their effective implementation.
• Stroke survivors often experience balance impairments, necessitating reliable assessment methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the validity and reliability of a videoconference-based Berg Balance Scale (Tele-Berg) assessment.
• To compare remote Tele-Berg assessments with in-person Berg Balance Scale evaluations in stroke survivors.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-one stroke survivors participated in the study.
• Assessments included in-person and remote (videoconference) Berg Balance Scale evaluations by two raters (test-retest and inter-rater reliability).
• Statistical analyses employed Pearson's correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and weighted Kappa.

Main Results:

• Strong positive correlation (r=0.96) was found between in-person and remote assessments.
• Excellent test-retest (ICC=0.96) and inter-rater (ICC=0.93) reliability were demonstrated.
• Low measurement error (SEM=1.8, MDC=5.1) and adequate internal consistency were observed, with no ceiling effect.

Conclusions:

• The Tele-Berg is a valid and reliable tool for assessing balance in stroke survivors.
• Tele-Berg demonstrates excellent reliability and low measurement error, comparable to in-person assessments.
• This telerehabilitation approach can effectively bridge the gap in accessing balance assessment services for stroke survivors.