Balance Testing Flashcards
What are you measuring and why?
the way the BOS and COG interact to keep balance
once COG goes outside the BOS you will fall over unless there is a righting reaction.
should be assessing the pt in functional movement.
to work on this and limit falls .
How do you know if the measurement is normal?
What principles are used in carrying out the technique?
make sure to challenge the stability limit.
make sure safe-2nd therapist available, start simple with lots of support and then progress.
pt. top should be off
What structures/processes are being assessed?
BOS-number of contacts the pt has on a surface.
COG- a point in an object where the distribution of weight is equal in all directions.
somatosensory (proprioceptive)- to sense how body parts react with the area around us to keep us balanced.
vestibular system- sense of head position in relation to gravity.
Precautions and contraindications?
Procedure?
Assess the areas of BOS and the trunk muscles around that area that are keeping the pt. upright and balanced, also see how head sits on shoulders.
Have pt, in stable, simple position to start with, wide BOS reducing it or making it more unstable to progress. Also move COG more to their stability limit.
Observe posture throughout, looking at the muscles being activated. Look at compensatory strategies and righting reactions.
Move around in all directions, getting them to tap hands etc.
Then see what balance is like when removing vision to progress, then nudge gently and see if they can maintain balance. Also making pt. react faster.
When moving from one position to another have another person in attendance for safety.
Check the orientation of pelvis throughout as well
Also check postural sway, strategies around the hip and ankle to see what pt. is doing to stay balanced. Also see whether postural sway increases with eyes closed compared to eyes open.
Then repeat what you did when the pt. was sat down, but now when they are stood up.
Can place a cushion/pillow underneath to make patient more unstable and taking balance to stability limits. Eyes closed and nudge etc.
Make sure you have a 360 degree view throughout so you don’t miss anything.
MAKE SURE ANOTHER THERAPIST PRESENT THROUGHOUT.
What is the rhombergs test and sharpened rhombergs test?
models foot one in front of the other, like walking on tight rope.
Then observe postural sway with eyes open first and then eyes closed to progress the movement and see how it changes.
sharpened rhombergs test which gets the pt. to stand on one leg, and look at postural sway and stability again, with eyes open to start with and then eyes closed to assess the difference.
Can do the sharpened rhombergs test in front of a plinth so that the pt. feels safe and more comfortable.
What is the definition of posture?
the relative placement/arrangement of the body and/or its segments
read over posture workbook
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Found on LC
