Item distribution of the Berg Balance Scale in older adults with Hip fracture: a Rasch analysis

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Balance impairment occurs after a hip fracture, but the characteristics of the impairment are not clear.

Objective

To investigate the uni-dimensionality, fit statistics, and item difficulty of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in older adults with hip fracture by conducting a Rasch analysis.

Methods

This was an observational cross-sectional study. The 254 participants were all ≥ 65 years old and had been hospitalized for rehabilitation after a unilateral hip fracture incurred during a fall. We collected their BBS scores at the time of hospital discharge and conducted a Rasch analysis to examine the uni-dimensionality, fit statistics, and item difficulty.

Results

The principal component analysis (PCA) of the Rasch model demonstrated that the BBS is uni-dimensional. The information-weighted mean square (MnSq) fit statistic was within the range of fit criteria for all items. The underfit item of the outlier-sensitive MnSq fit statistics was “Standing unsupported eyes closed” with the MnSq of 2.06. The difficult items were in order of logits: “Standing on one leg” (logits = 4.01); “Step tool” (logits = 2.74); and “Turn 360°” (logits = 2.61).

Conclusion

The BBS is uni-dimensional and conforms with the Rasch model. The BBS most difficult items for older adults with a hip fracture required one-legged support and dynamic balance.

KEYWORDS:

• Berg Balance Scale
• balance
• hip fracture
• rasch analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.