Development and Standardization of a Clinical Evaluation of Standing Function: The Functional Standing Test

Ronald J. Triolo, Beverly W.B. Reilley, William Freedman, Randal R. Betz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

A tool to quantify standing function and measure the effectiveness of different assistive devices for disabled individuals was developed and normalized on able-bodied adolescents. The assessment was based upon the ability to free the upper extremities from support and balancing tasks in order to manipulate objects in the environment while in the upright posture. The Jebsen Test of Hand Function was adapted to the standing position and extended to include vertical reaching and crossing midline in order to tax the postural system. A subset of the Jebsen tasks representative of activities typically performed while standing was included in the evaluation to determine the sensitivity of the test to various postures. Time and completion of eighteen tasks requiring fine coordination, pushing, pulling, reaching horizontally, vertically, and diagonally were recorded along with total elapsed standing time. Data from 69 able-bodied individuals between the ages of 12 and 17 were analyzed statistically and normal standards were established. Application of the test in standing was found to be significantly different than published norms for sitting. Although there were no differences with respect to age, a significant interaction between sex and standing performance was observed. Two adolescents with complete spinal cord injuries (SCI) were also tested while standing in braces or with functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS). One volunteer was able to perform most tasks in the same time frame as his able-bodied counterparts. Both subjects demonstrated a tendency for improved standing function with FNS, but overall results were mixed. The assessment is being repeated on other children to determine reliability and to compare standing ability with various assistive devices in the pediatric spinal cord injured population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)18-25
Number of pages8
JournalIEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation Engineering
Volume1
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1993
Externally publishedYes

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