Performance on Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) Impacts Health-Related Quality of Life in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients.

STUDY

DESIGN

Prospective single-center study.

OBJECTIVE

Study investigates how dynamic balance performance complements 2D static radiographic measurements and demographics in terms of understanding health-related quality of life in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Recent insights suggest that demographic variables have a stronger impact on health-related quality of life than 2D radiographic spinopelvic parameters in ASD patients.

METHODS

Nine healthy volunteers and 36 ASD patients following inclusion criteria were recruited. Demographics, Scoliosis Research Society Score-22r (SRS-22r), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI), 2D radiographic spinopelvic measurements, and performance on Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), and Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) were determined for each subject. Nonparametric tests, Spearman correlations, univariate, and stepwise-like linear multivariate regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

BESTest and TCMS had significant lower values in the ASD group versus the control group (P = 0.000). In the ASD group, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) correlated fair to ODI, COMI (0.441 ≥ r ≥ 0.383, P < 0.021) and to SRS-22-r (r = -0.335, P = 0.046), Mini Mental State Examination correlated fair to COMI (r = -0.352, P = 0.035), "Pelvic Incidence minus Lumbar Lordosis" correlated fair to ODI (r = 0.361, P = 0.031), BESTest correlated moderate to ODI and COMI (r ≤ -0.505; P ≤ 0.002), TCMS correlated fair to ODI (r = -0.356; P = 0.033). CIRS and BESTest were significant predictive variables for COMI based on univariate analysis in ASD patients. Multivariate regression analysis including demographics, 2D static radiographic parameters, and dynamic balance scales identified BESTest as single independent variable (P = 0.000) to predict COMI (adjusted R = 0.285) in ASD patients.

CONCLUSION

BESTest has a higher potential than demographic and 2D radiographic spinopelvic parameters to predict quality of life in ASD patients. Further research is necessary to identify the impact of ASD on quality of life.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.