Vestibular disorders significantly impair postural stability and elevate fall risk, necessitating the use of validated assessment tools. While the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) is a comprehensive measure of balance, diagnostic cut-off scores tailored to the vestibular population remain poorly defined....
If the Mini-BESTest shows adequate sensitivity and specificity for fall risk in vestibular disorder patients, audiologists and vestibular physiotherapists should consider adopting it as a quick, standardised screening tool within vestibular rehabilitation workflows.
Validating a brief, practical fall-risk screening tool for vestibular patients could meaningfully reduce fall-related harm and improve triage in busy audiology and balance clinics.
- 01Study assesses diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity) of the Mini-BESTest for fall risk in vestibular disorder patients.
- 02Mini-BESTest is a brief, 14-item balance evaluation tool designed for clinical settings.
- 03Published in PLoS ONE (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0353230); PMID 42418508.
- 04Vestibular disorders significantly increase fall risk, making validated screening tools clinically important.
- 05Findings directly relevant to audiologists and physiotherapists performing vestibular rehabilitation.
The Mini-BESTest has diagnostic accuracy sufficient to screen for fall risk in individuals with vestibular disorders.
studyunclear- PMID
- 42418508
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0353230.
- Journal
- PLoS ONE
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Individuals with vestibular disorders being assessed for fall risk
- Intervention
- Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) as a fall-risk screening tool
- Comparator
- Gold-standard fall-risk assessment measure
Primary outcomes
Diagnostic accuracy of Mini-BESTest for fall risk (sensitivity and specificity); Validity of Mini-BESTest for postural stability assessment in vestibular disorder patients