Balance Abilities of Community Dwelling Older Adults Under Altered Visual and Support Surface Conditions

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine balance abilities of older adults using the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (CTSIB), more commonly known as the Foam and Dome Test. This test evaluates an individual's ability to maintain upright standing under altered visual and support surface conditions. Sixty-nine community dwelling older adults of culturally diverse backgrounds who attend North Philadelphia, PA senior centers participated in the study. The mean age of the group was 76.3 years (SD = ±8.1, range 61-97). Individuals were timed on the six different conditions of the CTSfB. A perfect score was 30 seconds. Of the sixty-nine participants, forty-six were able to complete all conditions. Scores tended to decrease as the difficulty of the conditions increased. Older adults tend to use visual input to maintain balance even with conflicting visual information; and tend to have better standing balance on hard versus compliant surfaces. To assess balance abilities of patients when using the CTSIB, clinicians can use the norms developed on community dwelling older adults.