About the Workshop
Balance problems are the most common reason for falls and decreased quality of life. However, balance control is based on many underlying complex systems that can be affected by disease and injury. It is important to evaluate the specific systems affected in each patient with a balance problem in order to develop effective treatments. However, current balance evaluation tests do not differentiate different types of balance problems. The purpose of this workshop is to develop skills in using a systems balance evaluation to differentiate complex balance disorders in neurological patients.
Dr. Horak has developed a Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) for clinicians to differentiate balance into 6 underlying systems that may constrain balance: Biomechanical, Stability Limits, Postural Responses, Anticipatory Postural Adjustments, Sensory Orientation, and Dynamic Balance during Gait and Cognitive Effects. This unique evaluation tool is appropriate for any age and severity of ambulatory patients with Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebellar Ataxia, Vestibular Disorders, Neuropathy, Head Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Cognitive Deficits, and other balance disorders. The BESTest is a sensitive, quantitative balance assessment that will improve third party reimbursement by identifying subtle deficits and changes with therapy.
Participants will learn how to use this BESTest evaluation to design more specific, effective rehabilitation treatments for balance retraining. This systems approach is useful for patients with very mild balance deficits as well as patients with very complex balance deficits. Examples from patients with Parkinson’s disease, vestibular disorders and cerebellar ataxia will be used to illustrate how different balance evaluations lead to different treatments.
Use of the BESTest will give clinicians a new tool for quantifying balance and differentiating balance deficits to design more effective treatments.
An educational DVD on how to administer and score the BESTest with lots of video examples, will be available for purchase: BESTest.us.
References:
Horak, FB, Wrisley, D, and Frank, J, The Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) to differentiate balance deficits, Physical Therapy, May, 2009
King, LA and Horak, FB, Agility Exercise Program for Parkinson’s Disease, Physical Therapy, April, 2009