Variability of the modified Balance Error Scoring System at baseline using objective and subjective balance measures

Amaal J Starling; Danielle F Leong; Jamie M Bogle; Bert B Vargas

doi:10.2217/cnc.15.5

Variability of the modified Balance Error Scoring System at baseline using objective and subjective balance measures

Concussion. 2015 Aug 6;1(1):CNC5. doi: 10.2217/cnc.15.5. eCollection 2016 Mar.

Authors

Amaal J Starling^{1

1}, Danielle F Leong^{2

2}, Jamie M Bogle^{3

3}, Bert B Vargas^{1

1}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.
² King-Devick Test, Inc., 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 110, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, USA.
³ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 13400 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, USA.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate preseason modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS) performance in a collegiate football cohort; to compare scores to an objective mobile balance measurement tool.

Materials & methods: Eighty-two athletes completed simultaneous balance testing using mBESS and the King-Devick Balance Test, an objective balance measurement tool. Errors on mBESS and objective measurements in the double-leg, single-leg (SS) and tandem stances were compared.

Results: Mean mBESS error score was 7.23 ± 4.65. The SS accounted for 74% of errors and 21% of athletes demonstrated the maximum error score. There was no significant correlation between mBESS score and objective balance score.

Conclusion: The high variability and large number of errors in the SS raises concerns over the utility of the SS in identifying suspected concussion.

Keywords: athlete; baseline; concussion evaluation; modified Balance Error Scoring System; postural control; sports concussion; standing balance.