Question 1

The vestibular system provides which of the following types of sensory information for balance control?

Accepted Answer

The vestibular system provides information regarding the position of the head and body with respect to inertial forces, such as gravity and acceleration. This information is crucial for maintaining balance and orientation in space. The other options listed (muscle tension and length, joint movement and position, position of the head relative to the environment) are important for movements and proprioception, but do not directly contribute to balance control.

Question 2

The semicircular canals of the vestibular system would contribute the most to balance control during which of the following activities?

Accepted Answer

The semicircular canals are responsible for detecting angular acceleration, such as turning the head. Therefore, when standing and quickly turning the head to look at a person, the semicircular canals would contribute the most to balance control.

Question 3

When a hip strategy is used for balance control in response to a posterior displacement of the support surface,which muscle groups are activated and in what sequence?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

An 82-year-old woman is referred to physical therapy with a history of two falls in the past month.The patient lives alone and relies on her daughter for transportation.The best choice of an exercise program for this person is:

Accepted Answer

The Otago Exercise Program is an evidence-based, individualized program designed to reduce falls in older adults. It consists of a series of strength and balance exercises that can be easily done at home. Given the patient's age, history of falls and reliance on her daughter for transportation, an individualized home-based exercise program is the best choice for her. The Nitz and Choy Circuit Exercise Program and the Group Balance Exercise Program require access to a group setting or gym equipment which may not be feasible for this patient. Although Tai Chi has been shown to improve balance and reduce falls in older adults, it may not be the most appropriate option for an 82-year-old with a history of falls who may be at a higher risk of injury with some of the more complex movements.

Question 5

Mrs.S is a 65-year-old woman with a history of falling due to episodic loss of balance.The medical diagnosis is "balance disorder." Which of the following tests is the best choice to administer to determine if Mrs.S has a fear of falling?

Accepted Answer

The Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC scale) is the most appropriate test to determine if Mrs.S has a fear of falling. The scale assesses an individual's perceived confidence in performing various activities without losing balance or falling. It consists of 16 items that assess a person's confidence level on a scale of 0-100%. A higher score indicates greater self-confidence in performing daily activities without the fear of falling.

Question 6

To prevent falls and maximize safety while lifting heavy objects from the floor,an elderly patient is instructed to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of To prevent falls and maximize safety while...

Question 7

As part of the treatment program to improve a patient's balance,you decide to utilize a balance training program recommended by Nitz and Choy.The components of this program include:

Accepted Answer

According to the question, the goal is to improve a patient's balance, and the Nitz and Choy balance training program emphasizes dynamic and multisensory activities delivered in a circuit mode, making choice B the best option. The other choices may have some components that can contribute to improving balance, but they do not specifically target balance training as the Nitz and Choy program does.

Question 8

A 76-year-old community-dwelling man is referred to physical therapy for balance training.He reports no previous falls.His Timed Up and Go (TUG)score is 15 seconds.The best setting for him to receive training is in:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 76-year-old community-dwelling man is referred to...

Question 9

While testing a patient's balance,you have the patient perform a series of activities,starting with those that require a low level of balance control and progressing to more difficult tasks.Of the following,the task that requires the greatest amount of balance control is:

Accepted Answer

Walking with one foot placed in front of the other requires the greatest amount of balance control as it involves challenging the patient's center of gravity and shifting their weight from one foot to the other while maintaining stability. Catching and throwing a ball while sitting, raising the opposite arm and leg while in the quadruped position, and balancing on one leg for 10 seconds are all tasks that require moderate to low levels of balance control.

Question 10

Individuals with somatosensory deficits in the lower extremities,such as peripheral polyneuropathies,tend to use which of the following motor strategies in response to balance disturbances?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Individuals with somatosensory deficits in the lower...

Question 11

Individuals who become unstable or fall in condition 5 (standing on foam with eyes closed)and condition 6 (standing on foam wearing a dome)during the Clinical Test of Sensory Integration on Balance most likely have deficits in:

Accepted Answer

Condition 5 and 6 of the Clinical Test of Sensory Integration on Balance require maintenance of postural stability in the absence of visual input, which primarily rely on vestibular function. Therefore, individuals who become unstable or fall in these conditions likely have deficits in vestibular function. Proprioception and somatosensation also contribute to balance, but they are not tested specifically by these conditions of the test. Vision is absent in these conditions, but it is not the primary sense that contributes to postural stability in the absence of visual input.

Question 12

The center of gravity (COG)in most adult humans is located slightly:

Accepted Answer

The center of gravity in most adult humans is located slightly anterior to the S2 vertebra, which helps maintain balance and posture.

Question 13

Which of the following terms is defined as "the sway boundaries in which an individual can maintain equilibrium without changing his/her base of support"?

Accepted Answer

Limits of stability refer to the sway boundaries in which an individual can maintain equilibrium without changing his/her base of support. Center of mass refers to the point at which the mass of an object or person is evenly distributed. Limits of pressure and center of gravity are not related to the question.

Question 14

During an examination of a patient who has a history of episodic falls,you observe the patient performing functional tasks to determine how she loses her balance.You note that the patient becomes unsteady whenever she picks up objects from the floor or reaches for objects in a kitchen cupboard.These findings most likely indicate a control deficit in:

Accepted Answer

The patient's unsteadiness when picking up objects from the floor or reaching for objects in a kitchen cupboard suggest a deficit in anticipatory balance, which involves the ability to prepare for and make adjustments in response to predictable postural challenges. Reactive balance involves responding to unexpected postural challenges, static balance involves maintaining a stable position while standing still, and sensory organization involves integrating and interpreting sensory inputs for balance control.

Question 15

To improve a patient's dynamic postural control using visual and vestibular inputs,the most appropriate activity for the patient to perform is:

Accepted Answer

Walking with a narrowed base of support on foam with eyes open challenges both visual and vestibular systems, enhancing dynamic postural control.

Question 16

To maintain balance in condition 3 (standing on a firm surface wearing a dome)of the Clinical Test of Sensory Integration on Balance,a person must rely solely on:

Accepted Answer

Condition 3 involves standing on a firm surface while wearing a dome, which limits visual information. Therefore, to maintain balance in this condition, the person must rely solely on somatosensory and vestibular information. Option A correctly identifies these two sensory systems. Options B, C, and D involve visual information, which is not reliable in this condition.

Question 17

The typical pattern of muscle activation associated with an ankle strategy to correct forward body sway is:

Accepted Answer

The typical pattern of muscle activation associated with an ankle strategy to correct forward body sway is the activation of the gastrocnemius first, followed by the activation of the hamstrings and then the paraspinals. This sequence of activation allows for optimal control and stabilization of the body during sway. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Question 18

As part of a patient's balance training program,you have her walk across a balance beam or on a line drawn on the floor.The motor strategy this patient is most likely retraining is the:

Accepted Answer

The answer of As part of a patient's balance training...

Question 19

A balance test that can reliably detect deficits in individuals with chronic ankle instability is the:

Accepted Answer

The Star Excursion Test is specifically designed to assess dynamic balance and is effective in detecting deficits in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

Question 20

The most important neural structures for the integration and processing of sensory information for balance control are:

Accepted Answer

The supplementary motor area, cerebellum, and basal ganglia are all important neural structures for the integration and processing of sensory information for balance control. The cerebellum is crucial for monitoring and controlling movement, the basal ganglia plays a role in motor planning and coordination, and the supplementary motor area helps plan and execute complex movements. Together, these structures work to maintain balance and stability in the body. The thalamus and primary motor area are important for motor control, but are not specifically related to balance control.

Quiz 8: Exercise for Impaired Balance