- I put the DVD into my computer and it doesn't work. What should I do?
The BESTest DVD doesn't play on a standard TV set/DVD player but is an interactive program that runs on any Mac or PC computer that has a DVDrom drive.
- 1st, check that your computer has a DVD drive - most computers do but some older computers do not.
- 2nd, follow the instruction sheet that came with the DVD to start the program. You can download a new sheet here: BESTest Start-Up Instructions (right click and "save as").
If the software starts and the videos don't work or playback is jumpy:
- 1st, Check that you have the latest version of Quicktime installed on your computer. This comes with all Macs but sometimes PC owners will need to download the free quicktime installer through the Quicktime website here: Quicktime.
- 2nd, make sure your computer has minimum system requirements to run the DVD:
- For Windows: your computer should have at least 512 MB RAM, a 2.0Ghz Pentium 4 or higher processor and a minimum of 64MB of Video RAM.
- For Macs: your computer should have at least 128 MB RAM, a 1.25GHz G4 or higher processor and a minimum of 64MB of Video RAM.
If you still have trouble after trying these steps please email tech support: techsupport@bestest.us
- How do you score the stability in gait section when they have to use an assistive device?
Always score one point less if a patient uses a device or needs assistance from the examiner. For example, if the patient score's a 3 in Gait- Level Surface, but needs a cane, the final score would be 2.
- How do you score the stability in gait section when they have limited ability to do head movements secondary to limited cervical Range of Motion?
What matters most is that they turn their head within their range of motion while walking and that doing so does not create instability. If patient has very limited Range of Motion, allow combined head and trunk movement. If patient has a significant Range of Motion while sitting, but refuses to use full range while walking, subtract 1 point from their score.
- How high should the foot be in Task 4 (Hip/Trunk Lateral Strength)?
The important part is that the leg is straight at the knee, the foot is lifted to the side (abducted along the coronal plane), that the trunk is kept vertical, and to evaluate the force on your hands the patient uses to keep trunk vertical. Height of foot isn't as important but should be substantial. The video samples of perfect scores all have the foot about 6"- 18" high.
- What is the differences between "push and release" test and "compensatory stepping" part of BESTest?
Is the "push and release" being considered for UPDRS?
Sorry for the confusion between our previous paper's presentation of the Push and Release test (Jacobs, et al, 2006) and the use of the Push and Release technique to test compensatory stepping in the BESTest. The previous version of the test in Jacobs was designed for neurologists as a substitute for the Pull test in the UPDRS so it has 5 levels (0 to 4). In contrast, the version of the Push and Release in the BEST test has 4 levels (0 to 3) so it is consistent with all of the other items in the BESTest. The procedure for eliciting the compensatory step is the same but the scoring is different.