CALM scale evaluation dataset

Study aim: to test reliability and sensitivity of the CALM scale for evaluation of responses to large body balance perturbations in the mediolateral direction.

Design: analysis was conducted on data from 46 healthy university students of both genders.

Task
The task aim was to recover the body balance after unpredictable perturbations, trying to maintain the initial Romberg posture.
Perturbations were applied through varying displacements of the support base on a custom made moveable platform.
Support base displacements were made in the mediolateral direction, in three modalities: rotation, translation and the combined translation-rotation.
Displacements were made in both directions in three speeds (20, 30 and 40º (cm)/s).
Combination of modality, direction and perturbation velocity factors resulted in 18 distinct perturbations, making each perturbation unique in the protocol.
The sequence of perturbations was pseudorandomized among all possibilities of variation of postural perturbation.

Statistical analysis
Reliability: Intra and inter-rater analyzes were performed by means of Cohen’s kappa.
CALM scale scores and corresponding kinematic data were correlated by the Spearman's correlation.
Analysis was performed through pairwise comparisons, using the Mann-Whitney U test for group-related comparisons in each perturbation mode by velocity, and the Wilcoxon matched pairs test for effects of perturbation mode (rotation X translation X combined; three velocities averaged), and velocity (low X high; separately for each perturbation mode). Statistically significant effects are reported only.

Highlights
Scale for evaluation of compensatory arm and leg movements to balance perturbation
Large magnitude unpredictable balance perturbations in the mediolateral direction
Patterns of compensatory movements are rated as a function of their stability
High reliability and sensitivity to perturbation magnitude and training
Instrument potentially able to predict probability of falls in at-risk individuals