Berg Balance Is Weakly Related To Biodex Stability System In Egyptian Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a prevalent neurological disorder that causes significant balance impairment and disability. Several measures of balance (dynamic, functional) are present in literature for this population. However, there is little literature about relation between these measures with no consistency.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relation between Berg balance scale (BBS; functional balance) and Biodex stability system (BSS; dynamic balance) in Egyptian patients with MS.

Methods: Ninety patients with MS were included in this crosss-sectional study that was conducted at outpatient clinic from Shebin Elkom Teaching Hospital and Menoufia University hospital. Patients were assessed for balance using BBS and BSS. Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated.

Results: A weak negative association was founded among BBS and BSS (r=-0.236, p=0.026).

Conclusion: BBS and BSS do not measure the same thing, so they can be taken together as outcome measure during assessment of various physical therapy interventions for patients with MS.