Week 9 - Balance Flashcards
What is balance?
The static or dynamic equilibrium of the body, relative to the base of support
As long as the centre of mass remains over the BOS, balance is maintained
What 3 classes of information are carried by sensory receptors?
Exteroceptive - external environment
Proprioceptive - body position
Interoceptive - e.g. internal pain, vestibular
Describe the vestibular system
Located in the inner ear
Made up of 3 semi-circular canals
Canals pick up rotation, nodding, side flexion
Fluid in canals moves and stimulates hairs that send info along nerves
Describe the vestibular pathways
Vestibular afferents synapse on vestibular nuclei in the medulla and pons
Send info to cerebellum
What do we need for good balance?
Intact sensory receptors Intact sensory central processing Intact motor central processing Intact motor pathways Intact peripheral motor systems
How do we test sensory inpiut?
Vestibular - rapid movement response
Vision - visual field
Proprioception - mirroring
Somatosensory - light and deep/ sharp and blunt
How do we test what is happening centrally?
Tone - AROM/PROM Initiation of movement - AROM and function Coordination - FTN/HTS/ function Smooth movement - FTNS/HTS and function Reactive - function
How do we assess motor output?
Tone - PROM/ reflexes
Muscle strength - isometric/ isotonic
Joint ROM - AROM/PROM
Give four types of automatic reactions involved in balance
Ankle strategy Hip strategy Trunk and head righting reactions Protecting and saving reactions Stepping reactions
What are some outcome measures for balance?
Rombergs test TUSS Functional reach 180 turn POMA or Tinetti Berg balance scale GUAG Star excursion test
