Comparison of the SWAY Balance Mobile Application to the Abbreviated Balance Error Scoring System

Ryan Z. Amick, Samantha D. Jansen, Alex Chaparro, Nils A. Hakansson, Jeremy A. Patterson, Michael J. Jorgensen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The SWAY Balance Mobile Application (SWAY Medical, LLC, Tulsa, OK) is a new method for quantifiably assessing balance in both clinical and on-field environments. The purpose of this study was to compare the accelerometer-based SWAY balance assessment to the commonly used and observation-based Abbreviated Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) balance assessment. Forty-four participants (22 male; mean age: 19.59 ± 1.23 years) completed the SWAY Balance Mobile Application protocol while the Abbreviated BESS was simultaneously scored. Bivariate linear regression was performed and correlation co-efficient calculated to determine the degree of correlation between the SWAY and Abbreviated BESS scores. The mean Abbreviated BESS score was 5.93 ± 4.45 and the mean SWAY score was 81.79 ± 14.06. A significant negative correlation was found between the two balance measures (r = −0.601, P < .0001). The SWAY balance assessment may provide for a means to quantifiably assess balance in an objective manner, thereby eliminating subjective bias in balance assessments.
Original languageAmerican English
JournalAthletic Training and Sports Health Care
Volume7
DOIs
StatePublished - May 13 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • SWAY Balance Mobile Application
  • human balance assessment
  • Abbreviated Balance Error Scoring System

Disciplines

  • Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment

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