The Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation (BOOMER)

Objective
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The Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation (BOOMER) was developed to assist in clinical practice to quantify standing balance.[1] The combination of a variety of single item outcome measures make the BOOMER a highly feasible and applicable tool that is both time and resource efficient.[1]


The BOOMER consists of the following four tests;

  • Timed static stance feet together eyes closed
  • Functional reach (FR)
  • Step test - Foot placed on top of a 7.5cm step and returned to the ground. Performed as many times as able in 15 sec.
  • Timed up and go (TUG) - From a seated position, individual stands, walks 3m, turn 180°, walks 3m back to chair and sits with back resting against the back rest

Intended Population
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Older adults with deficiencies in standing balance.[2]

Method of Use[edit | edit source]

The four components of the BOOMER are performed in one session. Areas of interest are identified with treatment continued as appropriate. 

Results[edit | edit source]

An individual's performance on each measure will be converted to a 5-point ordinal scale (0 - 4). The scale ranges from 0 (unable to perform the test (or 0 on FR)) to 4 (excellent) with a maximum score of 16.[2]


Table: BOOMER scoring[2]

Tests 0 1 2 3 4
Step test (ave) Unable 0 - 5 5 - 8 8 - 12 >12
TUG (sec) Unable ≥ 30
29 - 20 19 - 10 <10
FR (cm) 0 1 - 15 16 - 20 21 - 30 > 30
Standing (eyes closed) (sec) Unable 0 - 30 30 - 60 60 - <90 90

Evidence
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Comparison to similar tests; Function instrument motor score (FIM) and Modified elderly mobility scale (MEMS)[1]

Good correlation with motor FIM (admission p=.73 and discharge p=.72)
Good correlation with MEMS (admission p=.88 and discharge p=.83)
p = Spearman p correlation coefficient

Links[edit | edit source]

Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]

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References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Haines, T., Kuys, S. S., Morrison, G., Clarke, J., Bew, P., &amp;amp;amp; McPhail, S. (2007). Development and validation of the balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 88(12), 1614-1621.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kuys, S.S., Morrison, G., Bew, P.G., Clarke, J., &amp;amp; Haines, T.P. (2011). Further validation of the balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 92(1), 101-105.