The Modified Flamingo Test: A Convenient Assessment of Balance for Planning Exercise Interventions with Older Adults

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of a new balance assessment for adults aged 65+. The Modified Flamingo Test was designed for use by exercise for health students working in residential care homes or in the community, to efficiently stratify participants in various exercise intervention groups according to balance ability, without the need for testing equipment. Methods: The first study phase aimed to test interrater and intrarater reliability among a sample of 27 raters, using two intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) models. The second study phase aimed to test convergent/concurrent validity from a sample of 41 independent community-dwelling adults, using Spearman’s correlation with the Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment. Results: Good interrater reliability (n=28, ICC=0.77, p<0.001), excellent intrarater reliability (n=28, ICC=0.998, p<0.001), and a moderate to strong correlation between the two balance tests (rs=.59, p<0.001), indicate promise for application of the test as a convenient assessment of balance by exercise for health professionals among large groups of adults aged 65+, in environments characterised by a lack of time, space, personnel and equipment.