Reliability and validity of the modified O'Sullivan functional balance test in patients with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Balance impairment is a significant challenge for patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), impacting their mobility and quality of life.
• Accurate and reliable assessment tools are crucial for monitoring disease progression and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions in pwMS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability and validity of the modified O'Sullivan Functional Balance Test (mOFB) in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, observational study included 50 pwMS (aged 18-65 years).
• Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for test-retest and inter-rater measures.
• Convergent validity was examined by correlating mOFB scores with established balance scales (TIS, L test, Mini-BESTest, BBS).

Main Results:

• The mOFB demonstrated good to excellent test-retest and inter-rater reliability (ICC range: 0.690–0.905).
• The mOFB showed strong correlations with other balance measures, indicating good convergent validity (ρ range: 0.708–0.912).
• Minimal detectable change (MDC) values were calculated for the mOFB total score.

Conclusions:

• The modified O'Sullivan Functional Balance Test (mOFB) is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing balance in patients with multiple sclerosis.
• The mOFB is suitable for use in clinical settings and research involving pwMS.
• The findings support the use of mOFB for quantifying balance deficits and tracking changes in pwMS.