Individuals with balance system problems, whether from the inner ear balance system, also known as unequal fluid in the ear, or issues from the general sensory system, muscle and joint function, or the visual system, should undergo this balance level assessment.
What can this test indicate?
- Analyze and identify the risk of falls in at-risk groups, such as the elderly, to prevent potential losses that may occur after a fall.
- Used to design rehabilitation methods for patients with genuine balance problems compared to other patients, such as those with anxiety or psychiatric patients.
- To assist in designing rehabilitation methods for patients with balance problems following accidents or brain pathologies, such as tumors, vascular issues, or Parkinson’s disease patients.
- Serve as a concrete indicator of success after treatment, whether from medication, surgery, or physical therapy.
Who is restricted from taking this test?
- Children under 3 years old or those unable to cooperate during the test.
- Patients over 80 years old.
- Patients weighing less than 14 kilograms or more than 200 kilograms.
- Patients taller than 200 centimeters.
- Patients with reduced consciousness or those taking medications affecting consciousness.
How to prepare before the test
- Do not eat before the test to reduce complications during the examination.
- Avoid medications that affect consciousness before the test.
- Remove shoes during the test for accurate results and to reduce the risk of accidents during the examination.
What are the test procedures?
- Testing the response of the sensory system controlling balance in various situations, such as balance testing with eyes closed/open or with finger movement touching external environments.
- Assessing the ability of automatic balance response when stimulated by external disturbances.
- Assessing the ability of automatic balance response when there is an unexpected change in inclined surface.
Additionally, there is the ability to balance in various situations to design appropriate balance system rehabilitation for each patient, such as the ability to move the body’s center of gravity, weight transfer, or maintaining stability when balancing on one leg.
Possible complications from the test
- Falling during the test, so support equipment should be worn and instructions from the doctor or test personnel must be strictly followed.
- Fatigue from the test, as it takes at least 30 minutes.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting.
