Validation of the Czech adaptation of Mini-BESTest into clinical practice.
Klaudia Fabicovic, Klara Novotna, Karla Mothejlova and 6 others
PMID 41848430WHAT IT FOUND
The Czech Mini-BESTest reliably measures balance in adults with acquired brain injury.
It agrees closely with other standard tests and avoids score limits. Therapists found reactive balance items hardest to assess and most likely to need repeating, while dynamic walking tasks were seen as the best indicators.
Key findings
01The Czech Mini-BESTest showed excellent agreement between raters and strong correlations with the Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go test.
02No participants achieved the maximum score, and only two achieved the minimum, indicating no ceiling effect and a negligible floor effect.
03Therapists reported that reactive postural control items were the most difficult to evaluate and often required repetition due to patient misunderstanding.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The sample size was relatively small (63 participants). The study included mostly individuals with chronic stroke, so results may not fully apply to those with acute injuries or other types of acquired brain damage. The validation was limited to people with acquired brain injury; it does not confirm reliability for other conditions like Parkinson's disease. Patients' own perspectives on the test difficulty were not assessed, only therapists' opinions.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the test is equally suitable for all patients with acquired brain injury. The authors note it is most beneficial for those with milder neurological impairments who can walk for longer periods, and may be too challenging for patients with severe cognitive or mobility deficits.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →