Responsiveness and Minimal Important Change of the Mini- and Brief-Balance Evaluation Systems Tests in People with Incomplete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study

Neurol. Int., 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint17030043 · Published: March 18, 2025

Simple Explanation

This study focuses on how well two balance tests, the Mini-BESTest and Brief-BESTest, can detect real changes in balance for people recovering from incomplete cervical spinal cord injuries. The researchers wanted to find out the smallest amount of change in the test scores that would be considered a meaningful improvement for these patients. By understanding these values, therapists can better measure progress, design effective treatments, and assess the results of rehabilitation for people with these types of injuries.

Study Duration

November 2022 to July 2024

Participants

50 people with subacute traumatic incomplete cervical spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Prospective Cohort Study

Key Findings

1
Changes in balance test scores (Mini-BESTest and Brief-BESTest) were moderately related to changes measured by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).
2
The adjusted minimal important change (MICadjusted) values were 3.7 for the Mini-BESTest and 2.2 for the Brief-BESTest.
3
The MICROC method was less suitable due to the high rate of improvement among participants.

Research Summary

This study aimed to determine the responsiveness and minimal important change (MIC) of the Mini-BESTest and Brief-BESTest in people with subacute iCSCI. Changes in BBS scores were moderately positively correlated with changes in Mini-BESTest and Brief-BESTest scores. MICadjusted benchmarks can help clinicians measure significant improvements in dynamic balance, design effective interventions, and evaluate rehabilitation outcomes in people with iCSCI.

Practical Implications

Improved Balance Assessment

The MICadjusted values provide benchmarks for detecting meaningful improvements in balance for people with subacute iCSCI.

Effective Intervention Design

Clinicians can use these benchmarks to design targeted interventions aimed at achieving clinically significant improvements in dynamic balance.

Rehabilitation Outcome Evaluation

The study's findings enable a more accurate evaluation of rehabilitation strategies and their impact on balance recovery in this specific population.

Study Limitations

1
Participants were recruited using a serial sampling method from a single center, which might have reduced external validity.
2
MIC may vary according to the participant and treatment characteristics
3
GRC assesses subjective degrees of improvement

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