Balance and Functional Skills Assessment

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Questions and Answers

What is the ultimate goal of functional assessment tools in gait assessment?

To identify sensory deficiencies

To achieve the greatest possible patient functional independence (correct)

To evaluate motor strategies used to maintain postural control

To establish a treatment plan with short and long term goals

What is the normal speed of an adult on flat ground?

100 m/min

92 m/min

78 m/min

82 m/min (correct)

What is the purpose of the Figure of 8 walk test?

To evaluate motor strategies

To monitor cadence

To evaluate sensory deficiencies

To assess functional ambulation skills (correct)

What is a limitation of traditional scales used in gait assessment?

They do not provide information on how the activity occurs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Ranches Los Amigos Walking Ability Questionnaire (RLAH)?

To evaluate gait strategies Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Step watch activity monitor?

To monitor cadence Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of evaluating posture, balance, and gait in each patient?

Adopting a flexible position Signup and view all the answers

What happens when correlated systems try to compensate for deficits?

They try to achieve the task Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Berg Balance Test?

To assess the risk of falls in elderly and neurological patients Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a motor strategy used in equilibrium evaluation?

Alignement strategy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT)?

To examine the ability to organize and select sensory information Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a limitation of the assessment of functional skills?

Evaluating the motor, sensory, and cognitive impairments Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Time Up and Go test (TUG)?

To evaluate the balance ability of a patient Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Reach Test?

To evaluate the balance ability of a patient Signup and view all the answers

What is gait?

A neuromuscular action of the whole body Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale?

To measure the confidence of a patient in performing daily activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of assessing a patient's ability to maintain postural control?

Movement of center of pravity at all levels Signup and view all the answers

Which test is used to evaluate a patient's ability to maintain equilibrium during movement?

Dynamic postergraphy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of using sensory strategies in postural control assessment?

To challenge the patient's ability to adapt to changing sensory information Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tests is used to evaluate a patient's ability to maintain postural control during disturbances caused by an examiner?

Clinical test of sensory organization and balance (CTSOB) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of motor strategies in postural control assessment?

To challenge the patient's ability to control movement of center of gravity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tests is used to evaluate a patient's ability to maintain postural control during voluntary and involuntary movement?

Dynamic postergraphy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Assessment of Functional Skills

Evaluation of daily tasks requiring postural control to identify underlying motor, sensory, and cognitive impairments contributing to imbalance
Limitations: does not evaluate change of context situations or movement quality

Balance Assessment Scales

Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale
Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I)
Berg Balance Test:
- Measures balance in elderly and neurological patients
- Assesses functional tasks
- 14-item scale with scoring system (0-56 points)
- Interpretation:
  - 41-46 points: low fall risk
  - 21-40 points: medium fall risk
  - 0-20 points: high fall risk

Evaluation of Equilibrium Strategies

Motor Strategies:
- Alignment: sitting and standing position assessment using plumb line, static force plates, and scales
- Movement Strategies: patient ability to maintain postural control while changing positions
Sensitive Strategies:
- Romberg Test
- Dynamic posturography
- Sensory Organization Test (SOT)
Visual Strategies: ability to organize and select sensory information in response to changing visual conditions

Gait Assessment

Gait is a neuromuscular and musculoskeletal action requiring coordination of legs and multiple joints and muscles
Problems with mobility management are crucial to solve when regaining functional independence
Functional assessment tools: define deficits, establish a treatment plan (short and long-term goals), and achieve maximum patient functional independence
Functional test must consider:
- Functional skills
- Motor and sensory strategies used to maintain postural control in various contexts and tasks
- Sensory, motor, and cognitive deficiencies that limit postural control

Gait Strategies

Cadence: 111-117 steps/min
Speed: normal speed on flat ground = 82 m/min (adult)
Monitoring tools: stopwatch, podometer, step watch activity monitor
Assessment tools:
- Hoffer Functional Ambulation Scale
- Figure of 8 walk test
- Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire
Evaluation of gait strategies:
- Functional Ambulation Classification
- Ranches Los Amigos Walking Ability Questionnaire (RLAH)
- Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment (RVGA)
- Motor Assessment Scale

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Description

Evaluate postural control and underlying impairments contributing to imbalance. Assessment scales include ABC, FES-I, and Berg Balance Test for elderly and neurological patients.