Validation of the Czech adaptation of Mini-BESTest into clinical practice

One of the frequently used standardized tools for balance assessment is the Mini-BESTest. Creating validated versions in national languages is very important for its correct administration and usability in people with acquired brain injury.

Our intention was to verify the validity of the Czech translation Mini-BESTestCZ and describe experiences with its implementation in clinical practice.

Validation study.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital.

Patients after stroke or traumatic brain injury.

The Mini-BESTest was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Czech according to established guidelines. The validation of this test was performed on a group of individuals with acquired brain damage in comparison with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Subsequently, physiotherapists who used the Mini-BESTestCZ in their practice were also contacted to evaluate their feedback and experiences with implementing the test into clinical practice.

A total of 63 people with acquired brain damage participated in the study. Internal consistency of the Czech version of the Mini-BESTest was excellent, with intra-class correlation coefficient ICC=0.99. There were very high correlations between the Mini-BESTest and the BBS (r=0.86) or the TUG (r=-0.74). These results indicate excellent convergent validity for the Mini-BESTestCZ. Physiotherapists considered items related to reactive postural control to be the most difficult to evaluate, and together with Timed Up and Go with cognitive dual task to be the most difficult for patients to understand.

The Czech version of the Mini-BESTest showed great inter-rater reliability and strong convergent validity with neither floor nor ceiling effects (as compared to the Berg Balance Scale), and can be recommended for the use in research and clinical practice for patients with acquired brain damage in subacute or chronic phase.

The creation of a validated language version of the Mini-BESTest will contribute to better administration and evaluation of this test, not only for people with neurological disorders. We also describe therapists' practical experiences with administering this test.