Reliability and Validity of Mini-Balance Evaluation System Test in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy

Type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy is known to cause balance limitations in static, dynamic, and functional activity. The Mini-BESTest, a shortened version of BESTest, was evolved to identify balance disorders within a short duration. No prior studies have yet been conducted to assess the usefulness of Mini-BESTest in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The current study aimed to examine the reliability and discriminant validity by comparing the Mini-BESTest scores between type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy, divided into two 2 groups based on reporting scores of <4 and ≥4 in the MNSI questionnaire, respectively. Therefore, a cross-sectional study design was conducted including 44 type 2 diabetic patients (4 males and 40 females; aged 56.61 ± 7.7 years old). Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed by physical assessment using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). Inter-rater (two physiotherapists) and Intra-rater (7–10 days) reliability of the Mini-BESTest were explored with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(2,1)) and (ICC(3,1)). The Mini-BESTest presented an excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC(2,1)= 0.95, 95% CI = 0.91–0.97, SEM = 0.61) and an excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC(3,1) = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.87–0.96, SEM = 0.66), with confirmation by a good agreement presented by the Bland–Altman plots. The internal consistency measured with the overall Cronbach’s alpha showed an acceptable agreement (0.73). The MDC was 2.16. In addition, the Mini-BESTest scores in the type 2 diabetic neuropathy patients reporting MNSI questionnaire scores <4 was found to be significantly higher when compared with those reporting scores ≥4. The Mini-BESTest can be used as a highly reliable and valid clinical application in the population with type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy.