Test-retest reliability of balance assessment using Swaymeter in children with Down syndrome aged 7-12 years
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Abstract
Background: Balance assessment in children with balance impairment especially in children with Down syndrome is an important element in physical therapy evaluation. Usual clinical balance assessment is limited because it can’t measure of body sway in any direction. Swaymeter is an equipment that can detect postural sway mainly in antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions. It is compact and lightweight. It requires a short administration and data processing time in measuring. However, there is no report supporting reliability of Swaymeter equipment for balance assessment in children with Down syndrome.
Objectives: To examine the test-retest reliability of postural sway measures obtained from Swaymeter in children with Down syndrome aged 7-12 years.
Materials and methods: There were 25 subjects participated in the study. Assessments of sway area were performed totally of 4 conditions: floor with eyes open and eyes closed, foam with eyes open and eyes closed. The assessment of postural sway was measure for three times in the same day and a week later.
Results: Reliability (ICC3,1) of the sway area in condition 1: floor with eyes open is good (ICC=0.75-0.82); condition 2: floor with eyes closed is moderate (ICC=0.66- 0.69); condition 3: foam with eyes open is low to moderate (ICC=0.57-0.71) and condition 4: foam with eyes closed is low (ICC=0.45-0.49). Sandard error of measurement (SEM) was ranged from 0.26- 0.38.mm
Conclusion: It was suggested that postural sway measured by Swaymeter is reliable in condition floor with eyes open and eyes closed. Swaymeter is suitable for applying in clinic and research for assessment of balance in children with Down syndrome aged 7-12 years.
Journal of Associated Medical Sciences 2017; 50(2): 253-261. Doi: 10.14456/jams.2017.25
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