Purpose
The Brief BESTest is a clinical balance assessment tool. It is an abbreviated version of Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), designed to assess 6 different aspects contributing to postural control in standing and walking.
Acronym
Brief BESTest
Area of Assessment
Balance – Non-vestibular
Functional Mobility
Assessment Type
Performance Measure
Administration Mode
Paper & Pencil
Cost
Free
Cost Description
Test is free; Training DVD for BESTest full test is $200.00
Diagnosis/Conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders
- Stroke Recovery
- This is a 6-item revised version of the BESTest, designed to improve the clinical utility and to preserve the construct validity of BESTest.
- One item from each of the BESTest system subsections (biomechanical constraints, stability limits/verticality, anticipatory postural adjustments, postural responses, sensory orientation, stability in gait) was selected for the Brief BESTest based on highest item correlation coefficients with their respective system section.
- Each item is scored: 0 - 3 points (0 representing severe impairment and 3 representing no balance impairment).
- Total score = 24 points (2 items include both a R/L component).
- Scoring form and test available in original article by Padgett (2012).
- Six categories included in the Brief BESTest (8 scored):
1) Biomechanical constraints: Hip strength
2) Stability limits/verticality: Reach forward
3) Anticipatory postural responses: Stand on one limb: left and right each scored
4) Postural responses: Compensatory Stepping right and left each scored
5) Sensory orientation: Stance on foam with eyes closed
6) Stability in gait: Get up and Go test
- Please see BESTest.us for more information
- Medium density 4-inch foam pad
- Stop watch
- Meter stick
- Space to complete the TUG
- Stable chair
Required Training
Reading an Article/Manual
Instrument Reviewers
Cathy Harro MS, PT, NCS and the PD EDGE Task Force of Neurology Section of the APTA.
ICF Domain
Body Function
Activity
Measurement Domain
Motor
Sensory
Professional Association Recommendation
Recommendations for use of the instrument from the Neurology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Multiple Sclerosis Taskforce (MSEDGE), Parkinson’s Taskforce (PD EDGE), Spinal Cord Injury Taskforce (PD EDGE), Stroke Taskforce (StrokEDGE), Traumatic Brain Injury Taskforce (TBI EDGE), and Vestibular Taskforce (Vestibular EDGE) are listed below. These recommendations were developed by a panel of research and clinical experts using a modified Delphi process.
For detailed information about how recommendations were made, please visit:
Abbreviations:
|
HR
|
Highly Recommend
|
R
|
Recommend
|
LS / UR
|
Reasonable to use, but limited study in target group / Unable to Recommend
|
NR
|
Not Recommended
|
Recommendations for use based on acuity level of the patient:
|
Acute
(CVA < 2 months post)
(SCI < 1 month post)
(Vestibular < 6weeks post)
|
Subacute
(CVA 2 to 6 months)
(SCI 3 to 6 months)
|
Chronic
(> 6 months)
(Vestibular > 6 weeks post)
|
VEDGE
|
LS
|
|
LS
|
Recommendations Based on Parkinson Disease Hoehn and Yahr stage:
|
I
|
II
|
III
|
IV
|
V
|
PD EDGE
|
LS/UR
|
R
|
R
|
R
|
NR
|
Recommendations based on vestibular diagnosis
|
Peripheral
|
Central
|
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
|
Other
|
VEDGE
|
LS
|
LS
|
LS
|
LS
|
Recommendations for entry-level physical therapy education and use in research:
|
Students should learn to administer this tool? (Y/N)
|
Students should be exposed to tool? (Y/N)
|
Appropriate for use in intervention research studies? (Y/N)
|
Is additional research warranted for this tool (Y/N)
|
PD EDGE
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
Considerations
REVISED version of BESTest with goal of improving clinical utility. Limited psychometric studies (2 published). Time to complete testing (10 minutes) is more feasible in clinical setting that complete BESTest. Consider MiniBESTest as another option of valid and reliable revised version of BESTest that has good clinical utility.
Do you see an error or have a suggestion for this instrument summary? Please e-mail us!