Clinical measures of balance and functional assessment in elderly persons

The relationship between clinical measures of balance and function in elderly persons was the focus of this investigation. Sixty subjects were assessed on three clinical balance measures, the Balance Scale, the Self Paced Walk Test and the Falls Efficacy Scale and a measure of general function, the Functional Assessment Inventory. Results demonstrated significant relationships between all measures. The Balance Scale results were highly predictive of function and were predicted by scores on the Falls Efficacy Scale and the Self Paced Walk Test. Only the Self Paced Walk Test was able to discriminate between subjects on the basis of previously reported falls. On the basis of data from this sample of elderly people, it was concluded that the Balance Scale was the most appropriate clinical balance measure for use with older individuals.