Reliability and validity of the sequential weight-shifting test: a new functional approach to the assessment of the sitting balance of older adults

Ken Y. T. Lee1), Christina W.Y. Hui-Chan2), William W. N. Tsang1)

1) Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China 2) Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA

ABSTRACT

[Purpose] The evaluation of sitting balance is important for the prevention of falls in older adults, especially those who have a disability involving the lower extremities. However, no studies have been designed to assess a patient’s dynamic sitting balance using a sequential protocol. The objective of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the sequential weight-shifting (SWS) test. 

[Subjects and Methods] Twenty-three older adults who were physically dependent with regard to ambulation were recruited by convenience sampling. In study 1, 10 participants performed the SWS test and repeated the procedure 1 week later. In study 2, 23 participants were assessed using the SWS test, forward and lateral reach tests in a sitting position, tests of shoulder flexor and hand grip strength, an eye-hand coordination test, mobility tests, and pulmonary function tests. The test-retest reliability of the SWS test and its correlations with the different physical dimensions were examined. 

[Results] The intraclass correlation coefficient (3,1) of the SWS test was 0.67. The results of the SWS test correlated significantly with forward reach in the sitting position, arm muscle strength, eye-hand coordination, mobility, and pulmonary function (all p<0.05).

 [Conclusion] The SWS test demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties and can be considered a useful functional approach for the measurement of sitting balance.