Abstract
CONTEXT: The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is recognized for simultaneously assessing strength, range of motion (ROM), balance, neuromuscular control, and functional performance of the lower extremity. Although there is evidence to support the SEBT, a contemporary systematic review to define its clinically relevant psychometric properties is needed. OBJECTIVE: To define clinically relevant psychometric values for the SEBT. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus databases were searched from database inception through November 2023. STUDY SELECTION: Clinical studies reporting reliability, validity, and responsiveness of SEBT were included. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. DATA EXTRACTION: Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), minimal detectable difference (MDD), minimal detectable change (MDC), evidence of validity, and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) values were recorded. RESULTS: Out of 3982 identified studies, a total of 102 were included; 20 studies of reliability found the SEBT to have ICC values ranging from 0.51 to 0.99. Out of these 20 studies, 5 reported MDC or MDD values in an injured population. Based on these studies, a standardized protocol for SEBT was compiled. A total of 81 studies of validity found that the SEBT could differentiate reaching distances between healthy people and those with lower extremity injuries with correlations with patient-report outcome measure, functional performance test, muscle strength, muscle activation, ROM, and motor strategies. One study of responsiveness identified MCID values of 4.2 cm to 10.9 cm for SEBT in the 2 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. CONCLUSION: The reliability, validity, and responsiveness with MDD, MDC, and MCID values for the SEBT can be used in clinical practice.