Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
A Unified Methodological Framework for Vestibular Schwannoma Research
Published on: June 20, 2017
Reliability of a modified mini balance evaluation systems test (Mini-BESTest) in NF2-related schwannomatosis
Natalie E Stec1, David G Bonilla1, Taya Hamilton2
1Department of Neurology and Cancer Institute, Mass General Brigham, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Objective:
To evaluate the reliability and validity of a modified Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) in patients with NF2- related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN).
Design:
Repeated-measures design.
Setting:
Neuro-oncology outpatient clinic.
Participants:
Individuals with NF2-SWN and clinician-confirmed balance impairment were recruited during outpatient clinic visits. All participants were ambulatory and cognitively capable of providing informed consent.
Main Outcome Measures:
Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for inter-rater and intra-rater performance across two administrations of the Mini-BESTest (scored 0 - 28, higher scores indicating better balance). Concurrent validity was evaluated using the patient-reported Activity-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC-scale) score collected at first visit (rated 0 - 100%, scores categorized: low <50%, moderate 50 - 80%, and high >80% confidence maintaining balance during daily activities).
Results:
Twenty individuals with NF2-SWN (mean age, 48.1 years, 65% male, 60% deafened or hard of hearing) were enrolled. The Mini-BESTest demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.99, CI = 0.97 - 0.995) and intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.95 and 0.96, CI=0.796 - 0.988 and 0.655 - 0.983 for raters 1 and 2 respectively). Mean Mini-BESTest scores at the first visit were 19.4 and 19.3 across raters (range 6 - 27). The mean ABC score was 74.1% (range, 6.9% - 98.8%). Concurrent validity of the Mini-BESTest with the ABC scale was strong (Spearman p = 0.79 and 0.8 for raters 1 and 2, p < .0001).
Conclusions:
The Mini-BESTest shows strong reliability and concurrent validity in NF2-SWN. Its successful administration in deafened or hard of hearing individuals supports its clinical applicability in this population.
