BALANCE AND FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION: Fitness and Conditioning Program for Balance Retraining Following Vestibular Dysfunction

by US Surgeon General and RED DOT PUBLICATIONS

SECTION 1: BALANCE ASSESSMENTIntroductionActivities-Specific Balance Confidence ScaleSingle-Limb Stance TestRomberg and Sharpened RombergBalance Error Scoring SystemModified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and BalanceBalance Evaluation Systems TestMini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test of Dynamic BalanceComputerized Dynamic PosturographyHigh-Level Mobility Assessment ToolRevised High-Level Mobility Assessment ToolGait SpeedFunctional Gait AssessmentIllinois Agility TestFive Times Sit-To-Stand TestSECTION 2: BALANCE INTERVENTIONHigher-Level Balance and Functional Abilities: Therapist Points toRememberFitness and Conditioning Program for Balance RetrainingFollowing Vestibular DysfunctionBalance deficits that arise in conjunction with concussion/mildtraumatic brain injury (c/mTBI) typically occur as a result of vestibulardysfunction.1,2 Residual balance deficits often follow treatment for avestibular disorder, and treatment is individualized and specific to thecause. Several assessments1,3-5 attempt to identify systems that maycontribute to residual balance deficits.The assessment section of this chapter includes evaluation of bodystructure/function, activity, and participation level of functioning.Therapists are encouraged to use a battery of assessments to clarify thecauses and impacts of balance deficits on an individual service member,with the understanding that no currently available tool focuses on theimpact of balance on military-related skills. The intervention section ofthis chapter provides a tip sheet of options and considerations forbalance intervention.Although assessing balance and functional abilities is considered apractice standard, the choice of which specific assessment tools to use isup to the individual therapist (practice option). Therapists areencouraged to measure both static and dynamic balance to fullycharacterize deficits in the complex military population. Measuringcomfortable and fast gait speed, which has been considered by some tobe a vital sign and correlates to levels of function in many areas, is theone method considered a practice standard.6 Support for balance deficittreatment is based on evidence for specific populations, such as theelderly, but remains lacking specific to individuals in the age range andwith the comorbidities of the typical military population. Support forvestibular rehabilitation programs to address residual balance deficits,especially following blast exposure, is expanding.1 The interventionsuggestions described here are considered practice options.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 154976554X
• ISBN13: 9781549765544
• Release Date: September 2017
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 103 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.3" x 6.1"