Further validation of the Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation.

Abstract

To determine the concurrent validity of the Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation (BOOMER) with both the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and gait speed. Prospective cohort study. Two geriatric rehabilitation units. Elderly adults (N=134) admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. Not applicable. The BOOMER consists of timed static stance feet together eyes closed, Functional Reach, step test, and the Timed Up and Go test. Validity was determined using the Spearman correlation coefficient, comparing the BOOMER with the BBS and gait speed on admission and discharge. Responsiveness of the BOOMER was compared with the BBS and gait speed for the change scores between admission and discharge using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The BOOMER demonstrated high to very high correlation with the BBS at admission (ρ=.91; P<.01) and discharge (ρ=.89; P<.01), and with gait speed at admission (ρ=.67; P<.01) and discharge (ρ=.68; P<.01). Change scores between admission and discharge for the BOOMER and BBS displayed moderate correlation (ρ=.55; P<.01), while those between the BOOMER and gait speed displayed only fair correlation (ρ=.33 P<.01). The BOOMER appears to be a valid measure of the standing balance construct because it demonstrated high correlation with another measure of balance, and moderate correlation with a measure of a related construct (gait speed). The BOOMER may be a worthwhile alternative for more complex multi-item balance measures.