Balance Error Scoring System: Difference between revisions

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Those diagnosed with concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, vestibular disorders  
Those diagnosed with concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, vestibular disorders  


== Method of Use  ==
== '''Equipment Required''' ==
'''Equipment Required:'''  
*Foam pad  
*Foam pad  
*Stopwatch  
*Stopwatch  
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*BESS testing protocol (instructions to be read to subject during testing)  
*BESS testing protocol (instructions to be read to subject during testing)  
*BESS score card
*BESS score card
<br>


'''Description:'''  
== '''Description''' ==
*6 conditions each tested barefoot, eyes closed for 20 seconds each:
The balance testing consists of three stances on two different surfaces. The three stances are double leg stance, single leg stance and tandem stance. The two different surfaces include both a firm (ground) and foam surface.
**Double leg stance (feet together) – firm / foam surfaces<br>Single leg stance (non-dominant foot) – firm / foam surfaces
 
**Tandem stance (non-dominant foot in back) – firm / foam
The athlete will stand with hands on hips and eyes closed with a consistent foot position depending on the stance. Shoes should not be worn. In the double leg stance, the feet are flat on the testing surface approximately pelvic width apart. In the single leg stance position, the athlete is to stand on the non-dominant leg with the contralateral limb held in approximately 20° of hip flexion, 45° of knee flexion and neutral position in the frontal plane.


*Score of 0-60 (lower scores indicate better balance and less errors).
In the tandem stance, one foot is placed in front of of the other with heel of the anterior foot touching the toe of the posterior foot. The athlete’s non-dominant leg is in the posterior position. Leg dominance should be determined by the athlete’s kicking preference.
*Each trial is scored by counting errors (deviations from the proper stance). If multiple errors occur at the same time, only one is counted. The maximum number of errors for a single condition is 10.
*Errors include moving hands off of iliac crests, opening eyes, step stumble or fall, abduction or flexion of the hip beyond 30 degrees, lifting forefoot or heel off testing surface, remaining out of the proper testing position for &gt; 5 seconds.  
*Number of errors in each trial are added together to obtain a total score (out of 60).  
*Read instructions to subject as they are written in the testing protocol.


{{#ev:youtube|fA392PbM3-A}}<ref>Duke Neurology. Sports Concussion Exam (3 of 9): Balanced Error Scoring System (BESS). Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA392PbM3-A</ref>
== Administration ==
Establish baseline score prior to the start of the athletic season. After a concussive injury, re-assess the athlete and compare to baseline score. Only consider return to activity if scores are comparable to baseline score<ref name=":0">My sports clinic BESS Available: https://mysportclinic.org/concussion-clinic/concussion-testing/balance-error-scoring-system-bess/ (accessed 28.5.2022)</ref>.


== Evidence  ==
== Scoring ==
=== Reliability ===
Trial is 20 seconds. Count the number ofd errors from the proper stance. The examiner should begin counting errors only after the individual has assumed the proper testing position. If multiple errors occur at the same time, only one is counted. The maximum number of errors for a single condition is 10<ref name=":0" />.
<u>Test-retest Reliability</u>
*Athletes: (Bell et al, 2011) <ref name="Bell et al" />  
*Adequate test retest reliability in youth participants aged 9-14 (ICC = 0.70)
<br>


<u>Interrater/Intrarater Reliability</u>
Score of 0-60 (lower scores indicate better balance and less errors). Number of errors in each trial are added together to obtain a total score (out of 60).
*Athletes (without neurological / orthopedic injury): (Susco et al, 2004; n = 34 subset of subjects) <ref name="Susco et al">Susco, T. M., Valovich McLeod, T. C., et al. "Balance Recovers Within 20 Minutes After Exertion as Measured by the Balance Error Scoring System." J Athl Train 2004 39(3): 241-246</ref>
**Adequate to Excellent intrarater reliability (ICC from 0.62-0.82)  
**Excellent: Double support / firm surface (ICC = 0.82)
**Adequate: Double support / firm surface (ICC = 0.63)
<br>


*Athletes: (Bell et al, 2011; n = 18 college athletes)<ref name="Bell et al" />
Errors include moving hands off of iliac crests, opening eyes, step stumble or fall, abduction or flexion of the hip beyond 30 degrees, lifting forefoot or heel off testing surface, remaining out of the proper testing position for &gt; 5 seconds.
**Excellent interrater reliability (ICC = 0.78-0.96)
**Adequate-excellent interrater reliability (ICC = 0.57-0.85 for total score (systematic review looking at 8 studies)
**Adequate-excellent intrarater reliability for total score (ICC = 0.60-0.92)


=== Validity  ===
Read instructions to subject as they are written in the testing protocol.{{#ev:youtube|fA392PbM3-A}}<ref>Duke Neurology. Sports Concussion Exam (3 of 9): Balanced Error Scoring System (BESS). Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA392PbM3-A</ref>
<u>Criterion Validity (Predictive/Concurrent)</u>
*Athletes: (Bell et al, 2011) <ref name="Bell et al" />
**Adequate-excellent correlations with target sway in male athletes
**Significant correlations for 5 of the 6 stances (r = 0.31-0.79, p &lt; 0.01)
<br>


*Concussion: (Barlow et al, 2011 retrospective chart review of middle and high school students; n = 106; mean age = 15.38(1.7) years; mean days between testing = 15.5(14.1) days) <ref name="Barlow et al">Barlow, M., Schlabach, D., et al. "Differences in change scores and the predictive validity of three commonly used measures following concussion in the middle school and high school aged population." Int J Sports Phys Ther 2011 6(3): 150-157</ref>
== Conclusion ==
**Adequate correlation with ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing)Impulse control (r = -0.31)
The BESS is a clinical evaluation of balance that usually has moderate to good reliability. The BESS correlates with laboratory-based measures for criterion-related validity and has construct validity. Scores increase with concussion, functional ankle instability, external ankle bracing, fatigue, and age. Scores should improve after completing a comprehensive neuromuscular training program.<ref>Bell DR, Guskiewicz KM, Clark MA, Padua DA. Systematic review of the balance error scoring system. Sports health. 2011 May;3(3):287-95. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445164/ (accessed 28.5.2022)</ref>
**Adequate correlation with ImPACT verbal score (r = 0.37)
**Poor correlation with ImPACT visual motor speed change (r = -0.33)
**Poor correlation with ImPACT reaction time (r = -0.02)
**Poor correlation with PCSS (r = 0.15)
<br>


*Athletes (controls without neurological / orthopedic injury): (Susco et al, 2004) <ref name="Susco et al" />
**Positive correlation with RPW score (r = 0.542)
<br>
<br>


<u>Construct Validity (Convergent/Discriminant)</u>
*Athletes: (Bell et al, 2011) <ref name="Bell et al">Bell, D. R., Guskiewicz, K. M., et al. "Systematic review of the balance error scoring system." Sports Health 2011 3(3): 287-295</ref>
**Convergent validity: BESS and sensory organization test (SOT), validated in a concussed population. More errors seen at day 1 post injury compared to healthy individuals, but returned to baseline at 3 and 5 days post injury. Average errors 9(4) for control, 15(8) for concussed, effect size 1.0.
**Discriminant: BESS does not discriminate between concussed athletes with and without a headache (p = 0.87)
**BESS performance worsens after 50 years of age (p &lt; 0.01), r = 0.36
**Increase in total BESS score (poorer performance) after whole-body or central fatigue (p &lt; 0.01)
**Barefoot BESS performance better than braced BESS (p = 0.04), before walking, better than braced (p=.03 or taped (p = 0.04) after walking. Differences not seen in SOT between conditions.
<br>
<br>


*Healthy adults: (Iverson et al, 2008) <ref name="Iverson et al">Iverson, G. L., Kaarto, M. L., et al. "Normative data for the balance error scoring system: implications for brain injury evaluations." Brain Inj 2008 22(2): 147-152</ref>
<br>  
**Adequate correlation between BESS and age(r = 0.36)
**Poor correlation between BESS and height (r = -0.03)
**Poor correlation between BESS and weight (r = 0.16)
**Poor correlation between BESS and waist circumference (r = 0.26)
**Poor correlation between BESS and BMI (r = 0.23)<br>
 
=== Responsiveness  ===
Not established


== Resources  ==
== Resources  ==

Revision as of 02:29, 28 May 2022

Objective[edit | edit source]

The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is an objective measure of assessing static postural stability. It is often used in the population of athletes with concussion or mild traumatic brain injury.

Information obtained from this clinical balance tool can be used to assist clinicians in making return to play decisions following milk head injury. The BESS can be performed in nearly any environment and takes approximately 10 minutes to conduct.

Intended Population[edit | edit source]

Those diagnosed with concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, vestibular disorders

Equipment Required[edit | edit source]

  • Foam pad
  • Stopwatch
  • An assistant to act as a spotter
  • BESS testing protocol (instructions to be read to subject during testing)
  • BESS score card

Description[edit | edit source]

The balance testing consists of three stances on two different surfaces. The three stances are double leg stance, single leg stance and tandem stance. The two different surfaces include both a firm (ground) and foam surface.

The athlete will stand with hands on hips and eyes closed with a consistent foot position depending on the stance. Shoes should not be worn. In the double leg stance, the feet are flat on the testing surface approximately pelvic width apart. In the single leg stance position, the athlete is to stand on the non-dominant leg with the contralateral limb held in approximately 20° of hip flexion, 45° of knee flexion and neutral position in the frontal plane.

In the tandem stance, one foot is placed in front of of the other with heel of the anterior foot touching the toe of the posterior foot. The athlete’s non-dominant leg is in the posterior position. Leg dominance should be determined by the athlete’s kicking preference.

Administration[edit | edit source]

Establish baseline score prior to the start of the athletic season. After a concussive injury, re-assess the athlete and compare to baseline score. Only consider return to activity if scores are comparable to baseline score[1].

Scoring[edit | edit source]

Trial is 20 seconds. Count the number ofd errors from the proper stance. The examiner should begin counting errors only after the individual has assumed the proper testing position. If multiple errors occur at the same time, only one is counted. The maximum number of errors for a single condition is 10[1].

Score of 0-60 (lower scores indicate better balance and less errors). Number of errors in each trial are added together to obtain a total score (out of 60).

Errors include moving hands off of iliac crests, opening eyes, step stumble or fall, abduction or flexion of the hip beyond 30 degrees, lifting forefoot or heel off testing surface, remaining out of the proper testing position for > 5 seconds.

Read instructions to subject as they are written in the testing protocol.

[2]

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

The BESS is a clinical evaluation of balance that usually has moderate to good reliability. The BESS correlates with laboratory-based measures for criterion-related validity and has construct validity. Scores increase with concussion, functional ankle instability, external ankle bracing, fatigue, and age. Scores should improve after completing a comprehensive neuromuscular training program.[3]




Resources[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 My sports clinic BESS Available: https://mysportclinic.org/concussion-clinic/concussion-testing/balance-error-scoring-system-bess/ (accessed 28.5.2022)
  2. Duke Neurology. Sports Concussion Exam (3 of 9): Balanced Error Scoring System (BESS). Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA392PbM3-A
  3. Bell DR, Guskiewicz KM, Clark MA, Padua DA. Systematic review of the balance error scoring system. Sports health. 2011 May;3(3):287-95. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445164/ (accessed 28.5.2022)