Balance Measure

In Brief…

Important Values

Activities specific BalanceConfidence Scale (ABC)

Client is asked to read scale and indicate their level of confidence in doing the activity without losing balance or becoming unsteady from choosing one of the percentage points on the scale from 0% to 100%. If they do not currently do the activity in question, they are asked to try and imagine how confident they would be if they had to do the activity.

The ABC is an 11-point scale and ratings should consist of whole numbers (0-100) for each item.

Score Interpretation:

• 80% = high level of physical functioning
• 50-80% = moderate level of physical functioning2
• < 50% = low level of physical Functioning3
• < 67% = older adults at risk for falling; predictive of future fall4

One Legged Stance Test (OLST)

The OLST measures an older adult’s balance abilities (non- institutionalized population).

Stand, arms across the chest, eyes open. Lift one foot off the floor and time how long they can maintain balance. Stop the test at 30 seconds.

See normative values in online modules

Tinett Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)

Assesses both gait and balance activities by 9 balance tasks and 7components of gait.

Each task is scored 0 (impaired), 1or 2 (independent)

Total Balance Score = 16; Total Gait Score = 12; Total Test Score = 28

Interpretation: 5

25-28 = low fall risk; 19-24 = medium fall risk; < 19 = high fallrisk

Dynamic Gait Index6

This scale was designed to test eight facets of gait using a four- point ordinal scale, ranging from 0-3. (0 =lowest level of function;

3 =highest function; Total Score = 24)

Interpretation:

< 19 = predictive of falls in the elderly

> 22 = safe ambulators

Four Square Step Test (FSST)7

The FSST measures an older adult’s(65+) balance, incorporating quick change of directions which is predictive for risk of multiple falls.

Interpretation:

>15 seconds considered a multiplefaller

BESTest1 and Mini- BESTest2

Balance test to differentiate balance in six systems that may influence balance: biomechanical, stability limits, postural responses, anticipatory postural adjustments, sensory orientation, and dynamic balance during gait and cognitive effects1.

Interpretation:

<19 on Mini-BESTest predicts future falls (Parkinson’s Disease)3

<16 on Mini- BESTest = history of falls4 <82 on BESTest = history of falls5

Reliability: (BESTest inter-rater reliability: 0.916, Mini-BESTest

inter-rater reliability 0.72-0.996).