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How much change is true change? The minimum detectable change of the Berg Balance Scale in elderly people

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Donoghue, D, Physiotherapy Research and Older People (PROP) group, Stokes, EK·2009·Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the minimum detectable change at 95% confidence for the Berg Balance Scale in a group of elderly people, undergoing physiotherapy rehabilitation. DESIGN: Multi-centre, test-retest design. SUBJECTS: Cross-sectional sample of convenience of people over 65 years (n = 118) without a previous history of stroke, Parkinson's disease or recent hip arthroplasty. RATERS: Physiotherapists working with elderly people, drawn from the Physiotherapy Research into Older People group, ranging in experience from newly qualified to 39 years qualified. METHODS: Each participant was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale and again within 48 hours by the same physiotherapist. The minimum detectable change at 95% was established. RESULTS: A change of 4 points is needed to be 95% confident that true change has occurred if a patient scores within 45-56 initially, 5 points if they score within 35-44, 7 points if they score within 25-34 and, finally, 5 points if their initial score is within 0-24 on the Berg Balance Scale. CONCLUSION: A clinician with a working knowledge of these minimum detectable change values can be up to 95% confident that a true change or not a true change in a patients' functional balance has occurred and can therefore alter their interventions accordingly to ensure quality, focused rehabilitation.

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Metadata

Authors
Donoghue, D., Physiotherapy Research and Older People (PROP) group, & Stokes, E.
Venue
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Published
2009
Volume
41
Issue
5
Pages
343-346
ISSN
1650-1977 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2037999970
Cited by
473
References
18
FWCI
31.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
gold

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: How much change is true change? The minimum detectable change of the Berg Balance Scale in elderly people. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.2340/16501977-0337
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Donoghue, D., Physiotherapy Research and Older People (PROP) group, & Stokes, E. (2009). How much change is true change? The minimum detectable change of the Berg Balance Scale in elderly people. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0337

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