What is functional reach test?
Ans : It is another test for balance and fall risk that is easily administered in the primary care office. A yardstick is mounted to the wall. The patient stands close to the wall with feet flat on the floor and raises one arm parallel to the yardstick, with the arm at 90 degrees of shoulder flexion, the elbow extended, and the hand fisted. The patient is asked to keep the fist in line with the yardstick and lean forward as far as possible, without taking a step or falling forward. As the patient leans forward, the fist moves along the yardstick. If the starting and ending point of the fist is less than six inches, the patient is at a high risk of falling within the next 6 months.
