Evaluating the reliability and validity of the Icelandic translation of the Mini-BESTest in rehabilitation patients: an international implication for balance assessment.

Background: The Mini-BESTest (Balance Evaluation Systems Test) is a standardized balance evaluation tool. The psychometric properties of the Mini-BESTest are being established around the world.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Icelandic translation of the Mini-BESTest.

Methods: Thirty rehabilitation inpatients (16/14 women/men), with mixed diagnoses and a range of self-assessed balance, were assessed with the: Mini-BESTest on two occasions; Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale; Berg Balance Scale; Timed Up and Go test; and 10 Meter Walk Test. Statistical analyses included the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), Cronbach's alpha (α), Pearson's r, and the independent t-test.

Results: Relative reliability demonstrated good test-retest (ICC_3.1 = 0.84), intra-rater reliability (ICC_3.1 = 0.86), and excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC_2.1 = 0.96). Absolute reliability (SEM) was 1.607, and internal consistency (α) was 0.80. Construct validity was supported by a high correlation between the Mini-BESTest and other standardized measures (r =  ±0.6-0.73). The Mini-BESTest discriminated between patients with poor versus good self-rated balance (p ˂ 0.001), with no floor or ceiling effects.

Conclusion: The psychometric properties of the Icelandic translation of the Mini-BESTest are comparable with the original version and other translations. These results for this mixed patient group should be relevant to clinicians and researchers internationally.