Mini BESTest
What It Measures
The Mini-BESTest measures dynamic balance — staying upright while doing something, rather than simply standing still. It was cut down from the 36-item BESTest using Rasch analysis, dropping to 14 items and 15 minutes without losing what mattered.
Four systems are tested. Anticipatory postural adjustments covers preparing for a movement you control, like standing up or rising onto your toes. Reactive postural control covers recovering from a push you did not expect. Sensory orientation covers keeping balance when vision or the surface underfoot is unreliable. Dynamic gait covers walking with head turns, over obstacles, and while doing something else at the same time. Each item scores 0 to 2, totalling 28.
Further Reading
Additional Notes
Licensing Notes: The instrument is free and downloadable from the developers at bestest.us and from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. No formal training is required, though the developers' training page is recommended. Equipment needed: firm foam pad, armless chair, incline ramp, stopwatch, 9-inch box, and a marked 3-metre distance.
Learn More: Note the instrument was revised in 2013 to fix scoring inconsistencies between the published and online versions and to clarify items 3, 6, and 14 — make sure you have the revised form.
