Walking ability in patients with glioblastoma: prognostic value of the Berg Balance Scale and the 10 meter walk test

Abstract

Primary brain tumors frequently cause considerable functional impairments and the survival time when diagnosed with glioblastoma is 14.6 months. The aim of this study was to examine if baseline postural control and walking ability in patients with glioblastoma could predict long term walking ability and 1 year mortality. Data were gathered from prospective recordings in a brain cancer database supplemented by retrospective review of electronic patient records. We included 109 patients with glioblastoma, 47 women and 62 men with mean age 65 years. At admission 84 patients were tested with Berg Balance Scale and 57 were tested with 10 meter walk test. Binary logistic regression analysis showed no statistical significance in favour of the 10 meter walk test. Berg Balance Scale showed an ability to predict walking ability 4-8 months after admission. The risk of dying within a year was 6.9 times higher in patients who lost their ability to walk within 4-8 months of the first admission. This study showed that Berg Balance Scale has some ability to predict the loss of walking ability 4-8 months after admission. This could be an important indicator pin pointing patients most in need of more intensive specialized neurorehabilitation efforts early in the disease course.

Can Multidisciplinary Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation Provide Sufficient Prevention of Disability in Patients with a Brain Tumor?—A Case-Series Report of Two Programs and A Prospective, Observational Clinical Trial

“…The study used BI, FIM, and additionally BBS to assess physical functioning, as these scales had previously been applied with positive recommendations in BT patients [14,16,19,21,34] to assess problems reported by the participants or observed by the physiatrist, and which were linked to the ICF categories [36,37]. The FIM scale is a daily living activity scoring system that may objectively determine impairments in different domains [15,37].…”

“…The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a widely used clinical test assessing balance abilities in adults, used also among BT patients [19,20]. BBS aims to objectively determine patients' ability (or inability) to safely balance during a series of tasks and can predict walking suitable for patients after rehabilitation therapy [19][20][21]. The qualitative tool assesses balance by means of functional tasks such as reaching, bending, standing, and transferring which involves most components of postural control [20].…”

“…Each item is scored using a 5-point scale (ranging from 0, which indicates the lowest level of function, to 4, denoting the highest level of function) with well-established criteria. The total score ranges from 0 to 56 [19].…”

Effect of Contextual Interference in the Practicing of a Computer Task in Individuals Poststroke

“…For characterization of the sample, the following instruments were applied: the Orpington Scale to classify the severity and estimate the prognosis of functional improvement [30,31], the Fugl Meyer Evaluation Scale (FMS) to assess motor and sensory impairment [32], and the Berg Balance Scale to evaluate balance ability [33]. In addition, hand muscle function was evaluated through palmar grip dynamometry (Saehan® brand dynamometer) [34], and unilateral manual dexterity was measured with the Box and Block Test (BBT) [35].…”

Effects of Physical Exercise Program on Physical Mobility of Patients with Cranial Surgery

“…Most of the previous studies were rehabilitation programs for patients who had chronic neurological symptoms and long-term impaired body functions. [23][24][25] In the area of patients who had cranial surgery, a previous study concerning early recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs was found to have encouraged patients to have early mobility from the first 24 hours after surgery. Furthermore, patients who received the ERAS program had early recovery with reduced LOS in hospital.…”