To conduct an overview, evaluation, and synthesis of measurement properties of instruments assessing balance of COPD patients. Electronic searches were performed in Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, WanFang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases up to the end of April 2021. Two reviewers independently evaluated the methodological quality using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Status Measurement Instrument checklist, and rated the overall quality level of evidence was graded based upon a modified Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Finally, 12 instruments were included. The Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go test were the most frequently used tools to evaluate balance. None of 12 instruments provide any information regarding cross-cultural validation or criterion validation. High-quality studies exploring measurement properties with a focus on the criterion validity and cross-cultural validity of balance measurements in COPD patients are warranted.
Keywords: balance; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; measurement properties; systematic review.