Evaluation of dynamic stability through the functional gait assessment
Abstract
Falls are a major global public health issue. In 2023, 42,000 deaths due to unintentional falls were reported in the United States, generating a significant socioeconomic impact. This problem mainly affects older adults, as well as individuals with vestibular disorders and neurological conditions, with incidence rates reaching up to 80 %. For its evaluation, the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is a useful tool. It consists of ten tasks and provides a maximum score of 30. The FGA has proven to be valid and reliable in different populations, with a cut-off score of ≤ 22 to predict fall risk in older adults. Additionally, it allows for treatment planning and objective monitoring of patients’ progress. This study describes a step-by-step procedure for evaluating and scoring the FGA.
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