Introduction:

Several clinical trials are designed to assess proprioception, however, none of them has sufficient validity to be used in amputee population. For this reason, the Kinesiotherapy Research Group from Universidad Nacional de Colombia has developed a proprioceptive test battery for below-knee amputation (BEPAT) with prosthetics. This research evaluates the internal consistency of the battery.

Objective:

To establish the internal consistency of a proprioceptive test battery (BEPAT) in a group of amputees treated at Hospital Militar Central.

Materials and methods:

Cross-sectional study which involved 12 male subjects (100%) (aged 25.4 ± 4.23) with transtibial amputation caused by landmine, and pin locking prosthesis (75%). Participants attended the prosthesis and amputees service at Hospital Militar Central between June and July 2014, meeting the criteria for inclusion in the study. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha (α).

Results:

BEPAT has a high internal consistency reliability, with a total alpha coefficient value of α=0.758. This value, for the domains of effector activities, kinesthesia and statesthesia, was (α=-0.264), (α=0.829) and (α=0.763), respectively.

Conclusions:

It was determined that BEPAT may be applicable in a clinical setting, obtaining in a high Cronbach's of α=0.758 during the first tests of reliability. The variables that comprise the domains have a positive influence on the internal consistency of the entire battery, and qualifications for the amputated leg are reduced, reporting values below 26, which indicates a regular proprioceptive response.

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