Exam

Four-Stage Balance Test

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Four-Stage Balance Test, 4-Stage Balance Test

  • See Also
  1. 30 Second Chair Stand Test
  2. Get Up and Go Test
  3. Fall Prevention in the Elderly
  4. Activities of Daily Living
  5. Activities of Daily Living Scale (Katz ADL Scale)
  6. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL Scale)
  7. Activity in the Elderly
  • Indications
  1. Fall Prevention in the Elderly
  • Technique
  1. Patient performs static balance testing using 4 foot positions
  2. Hold each of the four positions for 10 seconds each
    1. Feet together (side by side)
    2. Feet together with one foot a few inches in front of the other (one foot instep touches other foot great toe)
    3. Tandem stance (one foot directly in front of the other, heel touching toe)
    4. Single leg stance (stand on one foot)
  • Interpretation
  1. Loss of balance on any of the 4 positions (esp. tandem stance) is positive for increased Fall Risk
  • Resources
  1. 4-Stage Balance Test (Physiopedia)
    1. https://www.physio-pedia.com/The_4-Stage_Balance_Test
  • References
  1. Coulter (2024) Am Fam Physician 109(5): 447-56 [PubMed]