Validity of the Berg Balance Scale in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: A Rasch Analysis

This study aimed to determine whether the Korean version of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is suitable for assessing the balance ability of patients with spinal cord injury. The results of the Korean version of the BBS were collected from 80 patients with spinal cord injury. The collected data were analyzed using Rasch analysis to determine the suitability of participants and items, item difficulty, rating scale, and separation reliability. Of the 80 participants, 7 were evaluated as unsuitable participants, and 1 of 14 items was judged unsuitable. Item 7 was unfit, "standing unsupported with feet together." Item 14, "standing on 1 leg," was the most difficult, and item 3, "sitting unsupported," was the simplest. The results of the rating scale analysis showed that a four-point scale (0-3 points) was appropriate when administering the Korean version of the BBS to patients with spinal cord injury. The separation reliability for the items was 0.99, and the separation reliability for the participants was 0.97. The reliability and validity of the Korean version of the BBS were verified by applying Rasch analysis to patients with spinal cord injury. Based on the results of this study, the Korean version of the BBS is suitable for evaluating the balance ability of patients with spinal cord injury. It is expected to provide evidence for clinical use.