The Validity of Measures in Specific Training According to BaLance Evaluation (STABLE) – An Exercise-based Approach to Balance Rehabilitation for Older Adults at Risk of Falling

Abstract

Falls are a leading cause of injury and premature death among older adults. Specific Training According to BaLance Evaluation (STABLE) is a novel approach to balance rehabilitation that comprises six clinical measures applied to guide exercise prescription in rehabilitation. To evaluate the construct validity of the STABLE measures. Specific hypothesis regarding the measure’s correlations with reference measures of the balance domains that they purport to measure were tested in 103 older adults with balance impairment. The hypothesized correlations (r ≥ 0.3 and r ≥ 0.5) with key reference measures were confirmed for four measures. Minimum 7 of 10 hypothesized correlations (r < 0.1) with patient´s characteristics were confirmed for all measures but one. The correlations with patient reported balance disability and falls related to the construct that each measure purports to measure were lower than hypothesized for all measures (v = 0.102 to 0.325). The correlations with generic balance measures were as hypothesized for all measures except for one and the correlations between the measures were higher than hypothesized. All measures but one can validly be applied in the balance profile to measure balance disability and to guide rehabilitation.