A Study to Evaluate the Correlation between Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (Tinetti Poma) with Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Timed UP and Go Test (TUG) in Assessing Balance among Elderly

Introduction & Objectives: Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) a test which assesses balance and predicts falls. Compared to Berg Balance Scale, Tinetti POMA is a better outcome measure in predicting falls but it is time consuming. Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Timed up and go test (TUG) are simple and easily administered balance tests. In Neuro rehabilitation the outcome measures should be easy and quick to administer. To find a suitable alternative for time consuming Tinetti POMA, this study aimed at assessing the correlation between Tinetti POMA with FRT as well as TUG. Materials and Methods: A Cross-Sectional correlation study conducted in hospital & community setting with three months duration. Hundred elderly normal subjects matched for the inclusion criteria were taken for the study. Balance assessed in random sequence with Tinetti POMA, FRT and TUG. Result: Moderate correlation exists between TUG and POMA (r=-0.56, p=0.00) and fair correlation was obtained between FRT and POMA (r=0.39, p=0.00). Conclusion: TUG a convenient balance test which can be substituted alone or with FRT to the time consuming Tinetti POMA in assessing balance among elderly. Key Words: Functional reach test, Timed up and go test, Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, Balance