Further Validation of the Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation

Kuys SS, Morrison G, Bew PG, Clarke J, Haines TP. Further validation of the Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation.ObjectiveTo determine the concurrent validity of the Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation (BOOMER) with both the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and gait speed.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingTwo geriatric rehabilitation units.ParticipantsElderly adults (N=134) admitted to inpatient rehabilitation.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresThe 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.ResultsThe 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).ConclusionThe 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.