Interrater and Intrarater Reliability of the Tinetti Balance Test for Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) develop balance problems. This study was conducted to determine the reliability of the Tinetti Balance Test for individuals with ALS. Subjects and Methods: Subjects in Stages I -III volunteered for Parts 1 (n=21) and 2 (n=11). One physical therapist and 2 physical therapy students (Part 1) rated subjects' live performances of the Tinetti Balance Test. Two physical therapists and 4 physical therapy students (Part 2) rated videotaped performances twice. Results: Excellent ICC values (> 0.90) were found for the total Tinetti Balance Test scores in Parts 1 and 2. In Part 1, substantial to almost perfect agreement among all 3 raters (kappa range 0.62 -0.84) was found for 88% of individual maneuvers. In Part 2, fair to perfect agreement (kappa range 0.40 -1.00) was found on 93% of maneuver scores recorded 1 week apart for the 6 raters. Conclusion:The results suggest that the Tinetti Balance Test is reliable for examination of individuals with ALS in Stages I-III by physical therapists and physical therapy students.Post-Doctoral Fellow and Lecturer,

Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment I

“…Another study reported higher ICC values (>0.80) for both intra-and interrater reliability of the POMA scale in Parkinson's disease [38]. In patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, intra-and interrater reliability of the balance subscale were found to be excellent as assessed by ICCs (>0.90) [39].…”

Reliability and Validity of the Tinetti Mobility Test for Individuals With Parkinson Disease

“…9 -20 The balance and gait subscales that form the TMT have been studied individually or combined as in this study. 8, 10,11,19 The TMT predicts falls among elderly individuals 9,11,13,14 ; those scoring 19 to 24 out of 28 on the TMT have a "moderate" risk for falling, and individuals scoring Ͻ19 have a "high" risk for falling. 21 The TMT was found to have the best predictive validity for fall risk in elderly people when compared with the TUG, FRT, and one-leg stance test.…”

Effectiveness of Pelvic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Technique on Facilitation of Trunk Movement in Hemiparetic Stroke Patients

“…Consequently, the total Tinetti Test score ranges between 0 to 28 points. The higher score indicating a better performance [24]. All these outcomes measure were used to evaluate the trunk performance, trunk lateral flexion ROM, balance and gait respectively before the intervention and after 4 weeks of intervention.…”