Your patients will get an accurate measure of their balance if they stand as still as possible, breathing normally. Some small movements, such as finger twitching, or tremors (especially in the case of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease) may not affect their score.
If the patient demonstrates any of the following after the test has begun, then the test should be retaken:
- Coughs
- Sneezes
- Moves their feet
- Turns their head (either to the side or up/down)
- Moves their arm (eg to adjust eye glasses or clothing, scratching etc)
- Sniffs vigorously
- Talks
Simply ask them to step off, the scale will display 'Err' for a few seconds. When it displays '0.0' the patient may step back on the scale and the test will start automatically.