Cog-y Balance Test: Validity and Reliability for Fall Prediction in Community Dwelling Elders

Abstract

Background: Years lived with disability (YLDs) by the end result of falls were 631 per 1 lakh population in
India in 2010 and it is raising till date. The avoidance of fall among older is perhaps one of the prime public
health question.
Objective: Aim of our study is to assess the concurrent validity, inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of
Cognitive-Y Balance Test (Cog-YBT).
Methods: In this cross sectional study, 29 male and 27 female participants (64.77± 4.66 years) were recruited
from the community area. Data collection for the Berg Balance scale (BBS), Cognitive Time Up and Go
(Cog-TUG) and Cog-YBT were done for all. Cog-YBT data were taken by two different Data collector
(Rater 1 and 2). Rater 1 have taken data for 2 time with adequate rest between two sessions.
Results: Statistically significant (p < 0.05), though weak to moderate correlations were found for Cog-YBT
to BBS and Cog-YBT to Cog-TUG comparison (spearman’s correlation coefficient = 0.35 to.0404). ICC
score for intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was excellent for Cog-YBT (ICC >0.9).
Conclusion: Though the reliability of cognitive Y Balance test is high in our context, the concurrent validity
of this test is not adequate to use it as fall predictor measure in community dwelling elder yet.