Outcome measures

• Outcome measures:

  • Functional reach
  • Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
  • Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA)
  • Tinetti Performance oriented mobility assessment (POMA)
• Functional reach:

  • what is measures: Ability to remain stable in standing or sitting (modified) position . Measure of distance
  • Community dwelling adults, PD, SCI, stroke, vestibular disorders. Normative data
  • Test-retest (excellent) Inter-intrarater reliability (excellent) Criterion validity (adequate to excellent) Construct fair in predicting falls Face validity high
  • 5 mins, minimal equipment Generally recommended but not for SCI (limited study)
• Berg Balance Scale (BBS):

  • 14 items measure of balance and falls risk. Max score 56
  • TBI, elderly, MS, ortho surgery, PD, OA, SCI, Stroke. Normative data established
  • Test-retest (excellent) Inter and intrarater (excellent) Internal consistency (excellent) Criterion validity (excellent) Content validity assessed
  • 15-20 mins minimal equipment Very commonly used. Recommended for students. Does not predict fallers. Serious floor and ceiling effects
• Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA):

  • Functional balance assessment post stroke 12 point hierarchical scale, sitting, standing and stepping
  • Acute and chronic stroke
  • Test retest (excellent) Inter intrarater (excellent) Internal consistency (excellent) Criterion (excellent)
  • 10 minutes with minimal equipment Only assessed by designer Limited recommendation despite properties being stronger than many. Needs further study. Unlikely to see in clinical practice
• Tinetti Performance oriented mobility assessment (POMA):

  • Balance (9 items) and gait (7 items). Different versions – this is 16.
  • Elderly, PD, ALS, stroke, hydrocephalus Normative data in older adults
  • Test-retest (excellent) Intrarater (adequate to excellent) Concurrent (adequate to excellent)
  • 15 mins completion 3 point ordinal scale – higher=more independence. May have some floor and ceiling effects. Not highly recommended.