Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool

Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)

Balance Tests

Subject is seated on hard, armless chair

1. Sitting Balance

Leans or slides in chair (0) Steady, safe (1)

2. Arises

Unable without help (0) Able, uses arms to help (1) Able without using arms (2)

3. Attempts to Rise

Unable without help (0) Able, requires > 1 attempt (1) Able on first attempt (2)

4. Immediate Standing Balance (first 5 seconds)

Unsteady (moves feet, sway, swaggers) (0) Steady but uses support (1) Steady without support (2)

5. Standing Balance

Unsteady (0) Steady but > 4 inch BOS and requires support (1) Narrow stance without support (2)

6. Sternal Nudge (feet close together)

Begins to fall (0) Staggers, grabs, catches self (1) Steady (2)

7. Eyes Closed (feet close together)

Unsteady (0) Steady (1)

8. Turning 360° (Steps)

Discontinuous steps (0) Continuous steps (1)

9. Turning 360° (Steadiness)

Unsteady (grabs, staggers) (0) Steady (1)

10. Sitting Down

Unsafe (misjudges distance, falls) (0) Uses arms or not a smooth motion (1) Safe, smooth motion (2)

Gait Tests

Subject walks at normal pace

11. Gait Initiation (immediate after told "go")

Any hesitancy, multiple attempts to start (0) No hesitancy (1)

12. Step Length (Right Swing Foot)

Does not pass left stance leg (0) R swing foot passes L stance leg (1)

13. Step Length (Left Swing Foot)

Does not pass right stance leg (0) L swing foot passes R stance leg (1)

14. Foot Clearance (Right Foot)

Does not completely clear floor (0) R foot completely clears floor (1)

15. Foot Clearance (Left Foot)

Does not completely clear floor (0) L foot completely clears floor (1)

16. Step Symmetry

R and L step length unequal (0) R and L step length equal (1)

17. Step Continuity

Stopping or discontinuity between steps (0) Steps appear continuous (1)

18. Path (excursion)

Marked deviation (0) Mild/moderate deviation or uses device (1) Straight without assistive device (2)

19. Trunk

Marked sway or uses assistive device (0) No sway, but knee or trunk flexion or spreads arms out while walking (1) None of above deviations (2)

20. Base of Support

Heels apart (0) Heels almost touching with gait (1)

Select all items to calculate score

0 / 16

Balance Score

0 / 12

Gait Score

0 / 28

Combined Score

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