Dizziness Testing

Clinician Designed, Airforce Engineered, Balance Diagnostics

Tinetti Balance Test

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There is a total of 17 tests in two batteries of tests in the Tinetti Balance Test.

Hey, there’s an app for that!
Tinetti-balance-test-app

Unfortunately, even a phone app won’t speed up these two batteries of tests (17 tests in all). The Tinetti Balance Test is an expensive doctor visit; time consuming and trying for both the clinician and the patient.

Testing with our VNG System would be quicker, and less stressful on all parties.

PATIENTS NAME ______________________ D.o.B. ___________

Tinetti Balance Test: BALANCE BATTERY

Patient is seated in hard, armless chair.

There are 9 tests in this battery.

1. Sitting Balance
Leans or slides in chair = 0
Steady, safe = 1

2. Rises from Chair
Unable to without help = 0
Able, uses arms to help = 1
Able without use of arms = 2

3. Attempts to Rise
Unable to without help = 0
Able, requires > 1 attempt = 1
Able to rise, 1 attempt = 2

4. Immediate Standing Balance (first 5 seconds)
Unsteady (staggers, moves feet, trunk sway) = 0
Steady but uses walker or other support = 1
Steady without walker or other support = 2

5. Standing Balance
Unsteady = 0
Steady but wide stance and uses support = 1
Narrow stance without support = 2

6. Nudged
Begins to fall = 0
Staggers, grabs, catches self = 1
Steady = 2

7. Eyes closed
Unsteady = 0
Steady = 1

8. Turning 360 degrees
Discontinuous steps = 0
Continuous = 1
Unsteady (grabs, staggers) = 0
Steady = 1

9. Sitting Down
Unsafe (misjudged distance, falls into chair) = 0
Uses arms or not a smooth motion = 1
Safe, smooth motion = 2

Tinetti Balance Test: Balance Battery Score

_______/16

Tinetti Balance Test: GAIT BATTERY

Patient stands with therapist, walks across room (+/- aids), first at usual pace, then at rapid pace.

There are 8 tests in this battery.

1. Indication of Gait (Immediately after told to go.)
Any hesitancy or multiple attempts = 0
No hesitancy = 1

2. Step Length and Height
Step to = 0
Step through R = 1
Step through L = 1

3. Foot Clearance
Foot drop = 0
L foot clears floor = 1
R foot clears floor = 1

4. Step symmetry
Right and left step length not equal = 0
Right and left step length appear equal = 1

5. Step continuity
Stopping or discontinuity between steps = 0
Steps appear continuous = 1

6. Path
Marked deviation = 0
Mild/moderate deviation or uses w. aid = 1
Straight without w. aid = 2

7. Trunk
Marked sway or uses w. aid = 0
No sway but flex. knees or back or uses arms for stability = 1
No sway, flex., use of arms or w. aid = 2

8. Walking Time
Heels apart = 0
Heels almost touching while walking = 1

Tinetti Balance Test: Gait Battery Score

________/12

Tinetti Balance Test: Risk Indicators

Tinetti Tool Score Risk of Falls
≤18 High
19-23 Moderate
≥24 Low