Perception and use of balance measures for stroke patients among physical therapists in South Korea.
Ho Young Jang, You Lim Kim, Suk Min Lee
PMID 28265152WHAT IT FOUND
South Korean physical therapists reported using the Single Leg Stance test, Functional Reach test and Berg Balance Scale most often.
Their own judgment that a measure was useful tracked most closely with what they used.
Key findings
01In this survey, the Single Leg Stance test was used by 254 physical therapists (66.5%), the Functional Reach test by 199 (52.1%), the Berg Balance Scale by 191 (50%), and the Brunel Balance Assessment by 12 (3.1%).
02Therapists said the Single Leg Stance test was useful in 287 responses (75.1%), the Berg Balance Scale in 268 (70.1%), the Functional Reach test in 265 (68.4%), and the Brunel Balance Assessment in 96 (25.2%).
03The factor most strongly associated with reported use was therapists' perception of the measures themselves, followed by comprehensive perception of measurement and perception of balance factors.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Participants were physical therapists in Seoul and Gyeonggido, South Korea, so results may not generalise to other countries or settings. Only 11 balance measures were included, not all measures used in practice. The study used self-report questionnaires, so actual clinical behaviour may differ from reported behaviour. The study measured perception and reported use, not patient outcomes or treatment effectiveness.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the high use of the Single Leg Stance test as proof that it is the best or most effective balance measure for stroke patients. The paper reports what therapists perceived and said they used, not patient outcomes.