Interpreting the Need for Initial Support to Perform Tandem Stance Tests of Balance
Physical Therapy, 07/17/2012
Hile ES et al. – Requiring initial support to stabilize in tandem appears to reflect meaningful deficits in balance–related mobility measures, so failing to consider support may inflate balance estimates and confound hold time comparisons. Additionally, 10–second maximum hold times limit discrimination of balance in higher–functioning adults. For community–dwellers, the authors recommend timing for at least 30s and documenting initial support for consideration when interpreting performance.
