Abstract
With the growing number of young-older adults, there is a need for balance and mobility assessment tools specifically validated in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability, validity, responsiveness, internal consistency, and ceiling effects of a challenging balance and mobility scale (Community Balance and Mobility Scale, CBMS) in young-older adults. Fifty-one participants (66.4 ± 2.7 years) underwent CBMS assessment. The Fullerton Advanced Balance scale (FAB), Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), 8-level balance scale, 3-meter tandem walk (3MTW), and gait speed were used for estimating concurrent validity. Reliability was calculated as Intra-class-correlations (ICC) and internal consistency by Cronbach alpha. Standardized response means (SRM) were used to assess responsiveness in detecting balance and mobility changes after a 4-weeks exercise intervention. The CBMS correlated high with the FAB (ρ = 0.74; p < .001); good with the 3MTW (ρ = 0.61; p < .001); and moderate with TUG, gait speed, and 8-level balance scale (ρ = 0.31–0.52, p < .05). Reliability (ICC > .95), internal consistency (α = .74) and responsiveness (SRM = 0.75, p < .001) were good. In contrast to FAB and 8-level balance scale, the CBMS had no ceiling effects. Measurement properties of the CBMS are good to excellent in young-older adults. The scale can be recommended to identify balance and mobility deficits and intervention-related changes over time. Results suggest that the CBMS is particularly relevant for detecting and monitoring early age-related changes in balance and mobility, which might be masked by other balance scales used in the geriatric field.