Use of the Mini-BESTest In Individuals with Peripheral Neuropathy: Does it Correlate with Falls and Sensory Loss?

Authors

Kasey Birchfield, University of Dayton
Jennifer Lamoreau, University of Dayton
Courtney Beinlich, University of Dayton
Alyssa Reiter, University of Dayton
Molly Scholl, University of Dayton

Files

Faculty Advisor(s)

Kurt Jackson, PT, PhD, GCS

Description

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a neurological disorder that involves damage or disease of the peripheral nervous system associated with numbness, pain, weakness, and impaired balance. Individuals with PN often experience a distal to proximal progression of motor and sensory deficits such as loss of proprioception, muscle weakness, and loss of ankle reflexes. Since lower extremity proprioception plays a primary role in postural control, individuals with PN demonstrate difficulty maintaining balance, especially under conditions in which vision or vestibular input are also compromised. Clinically, the sensory deficits associated with PN are assessed using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and vibration testing. Additionally, the Mini-BESTest is a clinical performance measure that may be used to identify impaired dynamic balance and gait. The Mini-BESTest assesses anticipatory control, reactive postural control, sensory orientation, and dynamic gait. Although the Mini-BESTest has been found to be valid and reliable tool in persons with stroke and Parkinson’s disease, its use in individuals with PN remains to be explored.

Publication Date

5-2015

Disciplines

Physical Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy

Recommended Citation

Birchfield, Kasey; Lamoreau, Jennifer; Beinlich, Courtney; Reiter, Alyssa; and Scholl, Molly, "Use of the Mini-BESTest In Individuals with Peripheral Neuropathy: Does it Correlate with Falls and Sensory Loss?" (2015). University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium. 21.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/dpt_symposium/21