Geriatric Examination Tool Kit

Examination - Tool Kit

Summary of available Reference values and Predictive values for some of the instruments below.


Activities-specific Balance Confidence - ABC

Balance: static and dynamic

O’Sullivan, S.B. and Schmitz T.J. (2007). Physical rehabilitation: assessment and treatment (5th ed.). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company. p.254

Berg Balance Scale

Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Examination Tool Kit ...
DVT, vitals, Borg, 6MW, SpO2, PFT, etc.

Cognition ...
Pain thermometer, MMSE, PAINAD, GDS, etc.

Driving and Vision

Dynamic Gait Index - DGI

DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis

FICSIT-4 - static balance
Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques

Four Square Step Test
DiteW.2002-Stepping and ChangeDirection-APMR_83. 1566-1571

Functional Gait Assessment - FGA

Functional Reach

Functional Outcomes / ADLs ...
SF-36, FSQ, Katz, Barthel, etc.

Gait Abnormality Rating Scale - GARS
GARS - validity

Gait Speed - preferred and fast

Hand Grip dynamometry - instructions
Bohannon, R.W. (2007). Average Grip Strength: a Meta-Analysis

History ...

Kyphosis: Flexicurve spinal measurement

Osteoporosis

Pain ...
Faces, drawing, VAS, etc.

Parkinson's Disease: Functional Assessment tools

Physical Performance Test - PPT- modified - 9 item
Brown M. (2005)

Physical Performance Test - PPT - original - 7 item

Posture assessment: REEDCO

Reaction time & Transfers

Semmes Weinstein monofilaments - sensation

Timed Up & Go - TUG
Bohannon, R.W. (2006). Reference Values for the Timed Up and Go Test

Tinetti: Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment --POMA

Transfers & Reaction time

Urinary Incontinence

Vestibular ...
CTSIB, Fukuda, MSQ, DGI, ABC, DHI, MFES, etc.


2 Exam databases

1. Center for Evidence Based Medicine's Clinical Measurement Instruments:
Provides downloadable forms as pdf documents.
Search is done alphabetically

2. The Medical Algorithms Project:
Provides downloadable forms as Excel spread sheets, that contain scoring formulas.
Search is done by category. Not alphabetized within categories.

Free registration required.

Rehab-related categories:

  • Performance Measures & Quality of Life
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Immunology & Rheumatology
  • Physical & Sports Medicine
  • Occupational Medicine & Disability Assessment
  • Pediatrics


Childs, JD. Cleleand, JA. (2006). Development and Application of Clinical Prediction Rules to Improve Decision Making in Physical Therapist Practice.
Physical Therapy. 86:1;122-131.

University of Missouri
School of Health Professions
Department of Physical Therapy

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Updated: November 28, 2008