Reliability of a pressure measurement system for measuring balance

Balance is important for standing, walking and carrying out daily activities safely. Problems with balance can lead to falls or (sports) injuries. In podiatry practices, pressure measurement plates are used to measure pressure distribution under the feet, but they could also play an important role in assessing balance. Before we can use pressure measurement systems to measure balance, it is important to know whether they can record this reliably.

We conducted a cross-sectional study and collected six static balance parameters under four different conditions (eyes open and closed, both after 30 and after 60 seconds), and 15 dynamic balance parameters, each during two test sessions one week apart. Intra-session and inter-session reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients and the standard error of measurement (SEM), which were calculated for up to three trials (static) and five steps (dynamic) to determine the required measurements. An intraclass correlation coefficient of ≥ 0.70 was considered acceptable.

Three trials were required to obtain reliable (mean) scores for 23 of the 24 static balance parameters (96 per cent) within the session and 15 of the 24 (63 per cent) between sessions. However, some static parameters exhibit high standard errors of measurement (SEMs), up to 57.6 per cent of the (low) mean/median. We found comparable intraclass correlation coefficients for different sample durations. Nine of the 15 dynamic balance parameters (60%) within a session could be reliably obtained by averaging four steps, and ten of the 15 (67%) between sessions by averaging five steps.

Podiatry, balance, pressure measurement system

Collaborating partners: Researchers from Amsterdam UMC

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Reliability of a pressure measurement system for measuring balance

Danique