Validity and Reliability of the Newly Developed Balance Assessment System in Healthy Young Adults

The goal of this observational study is to to evaluate the validity and reliability of the "Postural Stability Test", "Stability Limits Test", "Sensory Integration Test" and "One-Leg Standing Test" tests of the newly developed patented balance assessment system in healthy young adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Are the "Postural Stability Test", "Stability Limits Test", "Sensory Integration Test" and "One-Leg Standing Test" tests in the newly developed balance assessment system a valid method for healthy young adults?
• Are the "Postural Stability Test", "Stability Limits Test", "Sensory Integration Test" and "One-Leg Standing Test" tests in the newly developed balance assessment system a reliable method for healthy young adults?

Participants will be evaluated with the "Postural Stability Test", "Limits of Stability Test", "Sensory Integration Test" and "Bilateral Comparison Test" within the AlBalance Balance Evaluation System and Biodex Balance Evaluation System. Participants will be asked to sit in a chair and rest for 5 minutes before starting the tests. To calculate the test-retest reliability and validity of the devices, these measurements will be made by the same evaluator in two sessions, 7 days apart. To eliminate the learning effect, participants who try AlBalance first in the first session will try Biodex first in the second session (reverse test order will be used). Participants who complete all evaluations with the first device will rest for 5 minutes and move on to the other device. Then, parallel clinical tests will be applied to the participants, "Functional Reaching Test" and "One Leg Standing Test".

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Healthy; Assessment, Self

Detailed Description

Balance refers to the ability to maintain the center of gravity within the base of support, regardless of age, and is the foundation of movement. Postural stability is defined as the ability to control the body's center of mass on the base of support and maintain an upright posture. Postural stability is a complex skill that relies on the interaction of multiple dynamic sensorimotor and cognitive systems under static and dynamic conditions. Postural stability and balance are two of the most important factors that determine a person's ability to make and maintain movements Conducting balance and postural stability research is of great importance for both diagnosis and treatment purposes. Commonly used tests such as the Berg Balance Test and Functional Reaching Test can detect changes in balance and postural stability, but the accuracy of the tests is limited as they are highly dependent on the tester's abilities and familiarity with the scale. Therefore, in addition to clinical evaluations, various commercial testing devices are also used to provide needed information about balance and postural stability. Our study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the "Postural Stability Test", "Limits of Stability Test", "Sensory Integration Test" and "Bilateral Comparison Test" tests of the newly developed patented balance assessment system in healthy young adults.

With this study, the reliability of a new and local balance assessment system will be tested in healthy young adults. We think that this study will provide preliminary information about the use of a new and local device for professionals working in the field of postural stability and balance assessment.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Elcin Akyurek; Phone Number: +905077403731; Email: oskanelcin@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy young adult between the ages of 18-25 who meet the inclusion criteria will be included in our study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being between the ages of 18-25
• Body mass index is below 24
• They should be able to understand and follow instructions
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of neuromuscular, rheumatic disease or vestibular problems that may affect balance
• Having a visual impairment that affects vision
• Any other exercise or physical activity that may affect trunk muscle strength or balance
• Having a recent history of orthopedic injury or surgery in the lower extremity
• Having experienced any acute situation that could affect postural stability and balance between the two tests (within 7 days)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Validity and Reliability; Participants will be evaluated with the "Postural Stability Test", "Limits of Stability Test", "Sensory Integration Test" and "Bilateral Comparison Test" within the AlBalance and Biodex Balance Evaluation System. To calculate the test-retest reliability and validity of the devices, these measurements will be made by the same evaluator in two sessions, 7 days apart. To eliminate the learning effect, participants who try AlBalance first in the first session will be the first to try Biodex in the second session (reverse test order will be used). Participants who complete all evaluations with the first device will rest for 5 minutes and move on to the other device. Then, parallel clinical tests will be applied to the participants, "Functional Reaching Test" and "One Leg Standing Test". The relationship of outcome measurements between devices and measurements of each test will be evaluated with statistical methods.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Postural Stability Test	Stability indices represent fluctuations around the zero point established before testing when the platform is stable. With the "Postural Stability Test", the anteroposterior, right-left, and general stability indexes of the cases will be recorded. During the test, participants will be asked to stand on the force platform with their feet in a comfortable position, arms at their sides, and palms facing toward the thighs. All measurements will be made with bare feet, and without shoes, and foot position will be recorded using coordinates on the platform's grid to ensure consistency in testing. The participant will be asked to stand still looking at the screen in front of him for 30 seconds. In both devices, there will be a 1-minute rest break between measurements and they will be performed 3 times. The participant's postural stability will be assessed with postural stability test.	Change from baseline to 7 day
Limits of Stability	In this test, the participant stands on force plates and deliberately shifts his or her body weight in the direction indicated on the screen without lifting his or her feet off the ground. This protocol measures various movement characteristics in 8 different directions: front, forward/right, right, back/right, back, back/left, left, and forward/left. During the test, participants will be asked to stand on the force platform with their feet in a comfortable position, arms at their sides, and palms facing toward the thighs. Direction control (%) and test times (sec) in all directions of the participants, who will move in 8 different directions sequentially, will be recorded. In both devices, there will be a 1-minute rest break between measurements and they will be performed 3 times. The participant's limits of stability will be assessed with limits of stability test.	Change from baseline to 7 day
Sensory Integration Test	The test decides which of the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive information is used to provide orientation to maintain balance in different situations. During the test, visual and proprioceptive stimuli are disrupted and the ability to maintain the center of gravity is evaluated. The test consists of 4 different situations that gradually become more difficult: Situation 1: Eyes open; firm surface Situation 2: Eyes closed; firm surface Situation 3: Eyes open; foam surface Situation 4: Eyes closed; foam surface All measurements will be made with bare feet, and without shoes, and foot position will be recorded using coordinates on the platform's grid to ensure consistency in testing. The participant will be asked to stand still looking at the screen in front of him for 30 seconds. In both devices, there will be a 1-minute rest break between measurements and they will be performed 3 times. The participant's sensory integration will be assessed with Sensory Integration Test.	Change from baseline to 7 day
Bilateral Comparison Test	Bilateral Comparison test demonstrates postural stability by measuring the individual's ability to stand on one leg with eyes open and closed. On the balance platform, the individual stands on one leg with his hands at hip level. The test is repeated for the right foot and left foot. For both feet, 3 trials with eyes open and 3 trials with eyes closed are made. Each trial lasts 30 seconds. What is required from the individual is to remain stable on one leg as much as possible without losing balance. All measurements will be made with bare feet, and without shoes, and foot position will be recorded using coordinates on the platform's grid to ensure consistency in testing. In both devices, there will be a 1-minute rest break between measurements and they will be performed 3 times. The participant's bilateral comparison will be assessed with Bilateral Comparison Test.	Change from baseline to 7 day
Multimodal Functional Reach Test	Multimodal functional reaching test is performed in three different positions: front, back, and side. In the functional forward reach test, the patient stands with the arm flexed at 90° and the fist closed, not touching but close to the wall. Three attempts are made and the average of these attempts is taken. In the functional back reach test, the patient stands with the arm flexed at 90° and the fist closed, not touching but close to the wall. Three attempts are made and the average of these attempts is taken. In the functional lateral reach test, the patient stands with his back to the wall, without touching the wall, keeping his arm in 90° abduction and his fist closed. Three attempts are made and the average of these attempts is taken. Multimodal Functional Reach Test will performed as parallel clinical tests and the participant's Multimodal Functional Reach will be assessed with Multimodal Functional Reach Test.	Change from baseline to 7 day
One Leg Stance Test	The one-leg stance test demonstrates postural stability by measuring the individual's ability to stand on one leg with eyes open and closed. The individual stands on one leg with his hands at hip level. The test is repeated for the right foot and left foot. For both feet, 3 trials with eyes open and 3 trials with eyes closed are made. Each trial lasts 30 seconds. What is required from the individual is to remain stable on one leg as much as possible without losing balance. One Leg Stance Test will performed as parallel clinical tests and the participant's One Leg Stance will be assessed with One Leg Stance Test.	Change from baseline to 7 day

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa (IUC)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Asena Yekdaneh, Fenerbahçe University; Principal Investigator: İrem Kurt Ulusoy, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Institute of Postgraduate Education; Principal Investigator: Ayşe Zengin Alpözgen, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Health Sciences; Principal Investigator: Elçin Akyürek, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Institute of Postgraduate Education; Study Chair: Nilay Arman, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Health Sciences; Principal Investigator: Bülent Bayraktar, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medical Sciences, Department of Sports Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): February 15, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 16, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 16, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): January 25, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 25, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 16, 2024
• Last Verified: January 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: young adult; validity; healthy; balance; assessment
• Other Study ID Numbers: AkyurekE3

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No