Balance Tests & Measures

Question 1

Berg Balance Scale

Answer 1

• assesses risk of falls
• 14 tasks, ordinal scale 0-4
• Max score==56
• <45==Fall Risk
  ordinal scale so 5 point!!! (0, 1, 2, 3, 4)

Question 2

Fregly-Graybiel Ataxia Test Battery

Answer 2

• 8 test cond’s, ea leg measured on 2 accts (time spent in ea pos, # of steps pt takes w/out fall)
• Pass/Fail ea cond
• best for pts w/ high lvl motor skills–challenging
• Balance dysf

Question 3

Fugl-Meyer Sensorimotor Assessment of Balance Performance Battery

Answer 3

• balance specifically for pts w/ hemiplegia
• 7 items scored 0-2, max score=14
• 14 is best score can get, but may not have norm balance

Question 4

Functional Reach Test*

Answer 4

• standing balance + risk of falls
• static BOS
• 3 trials
• Pt that falls BELOW age-approp norm has INCd risk of falls
• high test retest and intrarater reliability

Question 5

Functional Reach Test Age-Norms

Answer 5

• 20-40== 14.5-17in
• 41-69== 13.5-15in
• 70-87== 10.5-13.5in

Question 6

Romberg Test

Answer 6

• assess tool for balance + ataxia
  1. unsupp standing feet together EO (if lesion in somato or vestib system–compensate w/ vision)
  2. standing EC—“normal” if hold 30s, “abnorm” if unable to maintain balance in EC pos
  ** visual input removed– instability present if lg somato or vestib deficit prod’ing instability**

Ataxia and +Romberg== Sensory Ataxia NOT cerebellar

Question 7

Sharpened Romberg

Answer 7

• Tandem (nondom foot front)
• EO then EC
• challenges somato and vestib systems

Question 8

Timed Up and Go (TUG)

Answer 8

• Screening Tool (Sn) mob and balance
• sit, stand, walk 10ft and come back to sit
• Score: sway, excessive mvmts, reaching for support, side steps or LOB
• 5pt ordinal scale : 1=norm 5=sev abnorm
• TIME ADDED for reliability
• IND= 10s or less
• Limit of functional ind= >20s
• HIGH FALL RISK= >30s

Question 9

Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment

Answer 9

• Screen pts and risk for falls
• Section 1: STS, standing balance EO/EC, slight push, turn 360degs— 0-2, max=16
• Section 2: gait @ norm speed and rapid, safe. – initiation of gait, step length and ht, step asymm/continuity, path, stance during gait, trunk motion—-0-2, max==12
• Total= 28 with risk of fall INC as score DEC
• Total of 19==HIGH FALL RISK