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Functional Reach Test for Balance Assessment

The Functional Reach Test is a single-item balance screening test for older adults. A score of 6 inches or less indicates a high risk of falls, while a score between 6-10 inches indicates a moderate risk. The test involves having a patient stand next to a wall with their arm raised at 90 degrees. Their reach is measured, then they reach forward as far as possible without moving their feet while keeping their fist, and the new reach distance is measured and subtracted from the initial distance.

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Muhammad Juniarsyah
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9K views1 page

Functional Reach Test for Balance Assessment

The Functional Reach Test is a single-item balance screening test for older adults. A score of 6 inches or less indicates a high risk of falls, while a score between 6-10 inches indicates a moderate risk. The test involves having a patient stand next to a wall with their arm raised at 90 degrees. Their reach is measured, then they reach forward as far as possible without moving their feet while keeping their fist, and the new reach distance is measured and subtracted from the initial distance.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Juniarsyah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Related knowledge pages

  • How does quantum computing actually work in simple terms?

    Quantum computing is a branch of computing that uses the laws of quantum mechanics to process information in fundamentally new ways.

  • How do my kidneys work to clean my blood each day?

    The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in the lower back that play a crucial role in filtering and cleaning the blood.

  • What is a magnetic field and how does it work?

    A <b>magnetic field</b> is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the influence exerted by magnets and moving electric charges. It is one part of the electromagnetic field, the other part being the electric field. In simple terms, a magnetic field can be thought of as an invisible force field that extends through space and affects magnetic materials and moving charges. At each point, the field has both a strength (magnitude) and a direction, making it what mathematicians call a vector field.

Functional Reach Test

The Functional Reach Test is a single item test


developed as a quick screen for balance
problems in older adults.
Interpretation:
A score of 6 or less indicates a significant
increased risk for falls.
A score between 6-10 inches indicates a
moderate risk for falls.

Age related norms for the functional reach test:


Men Women
Age (in inches) (in inches)
20-40yrs 16.7 ± 1.9 14.6 ± 2.2
41-69yrs 14.9 ± 2.2 13.8 ± 2.2
70-87 13.2 ± 1.6 10.5 ± 3.5
Requirements:
The patient must be able to stand independently for at least 30 seconds without support
and be able to flex the shoulder to at least 90 degrees.

Equipment and Set up:


A yard stick is attached to a wall at about shoulder height. The patient is positioned in front
of this so that upon flexing the shoulder to 90 degrees, an initial reading on the yard stick
can be taken. The practitioner takes a position 5-10 feet away from the patient, viewing the
patient from the side.

Instructions:
Position the patient close to the wall so that he or she may reach forward along the length
of the yardstick. The patient is instructed to stand with feet shoulder distance apart then
make a fist and raise the arm up so that it's parallel to the floor. At this time, the
practitioner takes an initial reading on the yard stick, usually spotting the knuckle of the
third metacarpal. The patient is instructed to reach forward along the yardstick without
moving the feet. Any reaching strategy is allowed, but the hand should remain in a fist. The
practitioner takes a reading on the yardstick of the farthest reach attained by the patient
without taking a step. The initial reading is subtracted from the final to obtain the functional
reach score.

References:
1. Duncan, PW, Weiner DK, Chadler J, Studenske S. Functional reach: A new clinical
measure of balance. J Gerontol. 1990; 45:M192.
2. Duncan, PW, et al: Functional reach: Predictive validity in a sample of elderly male
veterans. J Gerontol. 1992; 47:M93.
3. Mann, GC, et al: Functional reach and single leg stance in patients with peripheral
vestibular disorders. J Vestib Res. 1996; 6:343.
4. Weiner, DK, et al: Does functional reach improve with rehabilitation. Arch Phys Med
Rehab. 1993; 74:796.

Functional Reach Test The Functional Reach Test is a single item test developed as a quick screen for balance probl

Related knowledge pages

  • How does quantum computing actually work in simple terms?

    Quantum computing is a branch of computing that uses the laws of quantum mechanics to process information in fundamentally new ways.

  • How do my kidneys work to clean my blood each day?

    The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in the lower back that play a crucial role in filtering and cleaning the blood.

  • What is a magnetic field and how does it work?

    A <b>magnetic field</b> is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the influence exerted by magnets and moving electric charges. It is one part of the electromagnetic field, the other part being the electric field. In simple terms, a magnetic field can be thought of as an invisible force field that extends through space and affects magnetic materials and moving charges. At each point, the field has both a strength (magnitude) and a direction, making it what mathematicians call a vector field.

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