Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) Scale

Purpose[edit | edit source]

The Fullerton Test is mainly intended to identify highly-active older adults who are at an increased risk to experience fall-related injuries due to sensory impairments. The test uses both dynamic and static balance under different situations to identify balance deficits in older adults.

The test is mainly performed on the following population: -breast cancer patients (post-chemotherapy) -older adults -Fibromyalgia -Parkinson's and -Traumatic brain injuries.

Technique[edit | edit source]

The test includes the following:

  1. 10 performance based activities in both static and dynamic phases
  2. Score of 0-40/40 points possible (higher scores are better)
  3. Items scored on a 5 point ordinal scale (0-4)

The test is administered for 10-12 mins.


Equipment needed:

  1. Stopwatch
  2. Pencil
  3. 2 and 36 inch rulers
  4. 6 inch high bench (18’X18’ stepping surface)
  5. Masking tape
  6. 2 Airex® pads
  7. Length of non-slip material between pads if floor is not carpeted -Metronome

The following video explains in brief on how the test is performed

Evidence[edit | edit source]

  • Cutt-off scores: Older adults (>=65 years): (Hernandez and Rose, 2008; independently, healthy functioning adults, without fall in previous 12 months, reported falling 2 or more times previous 12 months)

Score of 25/40 produces highest sensitivity (74.6%) and specificity (52.6%) in predicting fall risk In 7 out of 10 cases an individual who scores 25 or lower is at a high risk for falls

  • Test-Retest Reliability

Excellent test-retest reliability (ICC=0.98) (Rose et al, 2006)

  • Interrater/Interrater Reliability: 

Older Adults: (Rose et al, 2006) : Excellent test re-test reliability (r = 0.96) for total score

Breast cancer (post chemotherapy): (Wampler et al, 2007) (treated with taxane chemotherapy)

        Excellent test-retest reliability (ICC=0.98)<u</u>

  • Internal Consistency:

Older adults: (Rose et al, 2006) : Excellent internal consistency (H coefficients >0.75) for all 10 items

Older adults: (Klein et al, 2010)

  Excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.805)

  • Content Validity:

Older adults: (Rose et al, 2006) :Established through literature review, administration of test items to 15 older adults, reviewed by 4 experienced physical therapists

Resources[edit | edit source]

  • Considerations for using the test:
    Fairly new measure, with limited psychometric data and testing in populations other than older adults (Langley and Mackintosh, 2007)

Presentation[edit | edit source]

Reliability of the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale Click Fenter P, Dupree L, Harris C, Koonce K, Teat A. Program in Physical Therapy

http://slideplayer.com/slide/2558100/


References[edit | edit source]


[1]Rose, D. J., Lucchese, N., et al. (2006). "Development of a multidimensional balance scale for use with functionally independent older adults." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 87(11): 1478-1485.

[2]Hernandez, D. and Rose, D. J. (2008). "Predicting which older adults will or will not fall using the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale." Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 89(12): 2309-2315

[3]Klein, P. J., Fiedler, R. C., et al. (2011). "Rasch Analysis of the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) Scale." Physiother Can 63(1): 115-125

[4]Wampler, M. A., Topp, K. S., et al. (2007). "Quantitative and clinical description of postural instability in women with breast cancer treated with taxane chemotherapy." Arch Phys Med Rehabil 88(8): 1002-1008

[5]Langley, F. A. and Mackintosh, S. F. H. (2007). "Functional balance assessment of older community dwelling adults: a systematic review of the literature." Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Practice 5(4): 11p

[6]https://www.interactivehealthpartner.com/pdf/FAB10.pdf


  1. Rose, D. J., Lucchese, N., et al. (2006). "Development of a multidimensional balance scale for use with functionally independent older adults." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 87(11): 1478-1485.
  2. Hernandez, D. and Rose, D. J. (2008). "Predicting which older adults will or will not fall using the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale." Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 89(12): 2309-2315
  3. Klein, P. J., Fiedler, R. C., et al. (2011). "Rasch Analysis of the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) Scale." Physiother Can 63(1): 115-125
  4. Wampler, M. A., Topp, K. S., et al. (2007). "Quantitative and clinical description of postural instability in women with breast cancer treated with taxane chemotherapy." Arch Phys Med Rehabil 88(8): 1002-1008
  5. Langley, F. A. and Mackintosh, S. F. H. (2007). "Functional balance assessment of older community dwelling adults: a systematic review of the literature." Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Practice 5(4): 11p
  6. https://www.interactivehealthpartner.com/pdf/FAB10.pdf