The Correlation of the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go Test, and Functional Independent Measure in the Elderly People

AbstractThe Correlation of the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go Test, and Functional Independent Measure in the Elderly People Hwang Su-jin, B.H.Sc., P.T. Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Love House Nursing Home Lee Su-young, M.Sc., P.T. Dept. of Rehabilitation Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University Lee Jung-ah, B.H.Sc., P.T. Dept. of Rehabilitation Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University This study aims to compare the relationship between the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores, Timed Up & Go (TUG), Functional Independent Measure (FIM), and subject characteristics. All of the 18 subjects were women between the ages of 68 and 91 (mean=80.2, SD=5.43), and they all lived at the nursing home in Wonju. Balance was measured using BBS, and functional mobility was measured using TUG. FIM was used to evaluate functional independence. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation. Statistically significant differences were noted between BBS and TUG (r=-.486, p<.05). There were no significant statistical differences between total FIM and BBS, TUG. The FIM items locomotion and communication showed significant statistical differences between BBS and TUG. The results suggest that FIM may be able to predict dangerous falls in elderly people.Key Words: Berg balance scale; Elderly people; Functional independent measure; Timed Up & Go test.