Minimal Clinically Important Difference for Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Berg Balance Scale：A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective：The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) are widely used to test balance function in adults. However, the information on the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the measure has not been consolidated. This review summarizes all available information on the MCID for the Mini-BESTest and BBS.

Methods：We searched three electronic databases (PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, and Web of Knowledge) for relevant literature and additionally conducted a hand search.

We included all articles that reported an MCID for the Mini-BESTest and BBS.

We excluded articles if the MCID was determined by a procedure other than receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Articles were abstracted for information on participants, interventions, balance assessment documentation, and the determination of MCID.

Results：A search yielded 21 articles on the Mini-BESTest and 87 articles on the BBS, four articles on the Mini-BESTest and six articles on the BBS were selected based on adherence to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The MCIDs with an area under the ROC curve of 0.7 or greater ranged from 1.5-4.5 points for the Mini-BESTest and 3.5-6 points for the BBS.

Conclusion：A change of 1.5-4.5 points for the Mini-BESTest and 3.5-6 points for the BBS may be clinically important across multiple patient groups.