Reliability of a New Diamond Steps Test Devised for Balance Evaluation

Abstract

ABSTRACT:[Purpose] A Diamond Steps Test (DST) was devised, and the reliability of the measured values and the number of measurements were examined. [Subjects and Methods] DST entails walking a rhombus (height × 0.5) with constant side lengths and vertices of 60 and 120 degrees. Three measurement methods were examined: number of DS walked in 30 seconds (30DS), time required to walk DS five times (5×DS), and time required for DS walking once on the dominant foot and non-dominant foot sides (LRDS). The subjects were 16 young people. Two examiners A and B were selected. [Results] In all three measurement methods, the ICCs of the two measurements were 0.77 or higher, a significant value.[Conclusion] The three measurement methods have high reliability, but the results suggest the reliabilities of the 5×DS and LRDS are higher.

Testing the Validity of the Diamond Steps Test for Balance in Healthy Adults

“…A total of 10 tests related to balance were randomly conducted, and the order was determined by drawing lots. The tests were: the 5-DS and the LRDS for the DST, 4 Functional Reach Test, 5 Standing on One Leg with Eyes Closed (SOLEC) Test, 6 Mini-BESTest, 7 Finger-Floor Distance Test, 8 10-second Open-Close Stepping Test (OCS-10), 9 Plisky et al.’s improved version of the Star Excursion Balance Test known as the revised Y Balance Test (YBT), 10 30-second Chair Stand Test (CS-30), 11 and grip strength test. 12 To standardize the conditions under which the measurements were taken, all participants performed the tests barefoot.…”

“…The diamond used for the DST had angles at the opposing vertices of 60 and 120 degrees, and the length of each side was half the participant’s height ( fig 2 ). 4 To resolve the individual differences caused by different heights, a dedicated DST measuring ruler was used in this study. The dedicated DST measuring ruler first assumed that the participant’s height is in the range of 130 to 200 cm.…”

“…The 5-DS and LRDS tests have been shown to be particularly reliable, with each having an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.91 or higher. 4 In this study, we examined the validity of the DST as a new method to assess balance in healthy adults.…”