Fugl-Meyer et al developed a protocol for physical and functional assessment of a hemiplegic patient following a stroke. The examination is divided into various sections, including an evaluation of balance. The authors are from the University of Goteborg in Sweden.
Assessments of balance:
(1) sitting without support
(2) protective reaction, non-affected side (patient sitting and blindfoled, push applied to nonaffected side)
(3) protective reaction, affected side (patient sitting and blindfoled, push applied to affected side)
(4) standing with support
(5) standing without support
(6) standing on non-affected leg
(7) standing on affected leg
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
sitting without support |
cannot sit without major support |
0 |
|
|
can sit for only a little while without support |
1 |
|
|
can sit for >= 5 minutes without any support |
2 |
|
protective reaction, non-affected side |
no attempt at a protective response |
0 |
|
|
attempts protective response but impaired |
1 |
|
|
abducts shoulder and extends elbow to avoid falling |
2 |
|
protective reaction, affected side |
no attempt at a protective response |
0 |
|
|
attempts protective response but impaired |
1 |
|
|
abducts shoulder and extends elbow to avoid falling |
2 |
|
standing with support |
cannot stand at all |
0 |
|
|
standing requires significant support |
1 |
|
|
able to stand for >= 1 minute with no or minimal support |
2 |
|
standing without support |
cannot stand at all |
0 |
|
|
can stand for less than one minute OR can stand for >= 1 minute but insecure and swaying |
1 |
|
|
good balance for >= 1 minute without insecurity |
2 |
|
standing on non-affected leg |
unable or for a few seconds with reeling |
0 |
|
|
balanced for 4 to 9 seconds |
1 |
|
|
balanced for >= 10 seconds |
2 |
|
standing on affected leg |
unable or for a few seconds with reeling |
0 |
|
|
balanced for 4 to 9 seconds |
1 |
|
|
balanced for >= 10 seconds |
2 |
where:
• The paper refers to "protective reaction" in the assessment listing but "parachute reaction" in the text. "Protective reaction" is used here since it seems to fit the context better.
total score for balance =
= SUM(points for all 7 assessments)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 14 (normal)
Purpose: To evaluate the balance of a post-stroke hemiplegic patient as part of the protocol developed by Fugl-Meyer.
Specialty: Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Neurology
Objective: disability and performance
ICD-10: G81, I61, I62, I63, I64,
