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The Tinetti test

Babylon in geriatric assessment

Der Tinetti-Test – Babylon im geriatrischen Assessment

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Summary

The Tinetti test has been recommended and widely used in the elderly to assess mobility, balance and gait, and predict falls. Different versions can be found. A systematic literature search identified 37 publications on the Tinetti test and falls. Wide variations were found concerning name of the instrument, test items, scoring, and cut-off values. This heterogeneity interferes with evaluations of the test’s validity, reliability and generalisability. Researcher and clinicians should be aware of this fact, when dealing with the Tinetti test.

Zusammenfassung

Der Tinetti-Test ist ein empfohlenes und weit verbreitetes Instrument zum Assessment von Mobilität, Balance und Gang sowie zur Sturzvorhersage. Verschiedene Versionen des Instruments liegen vor. Eine systematische Literatursuche identifizierte 37 Publikationen zum Tinetti-Test im Zusammenhang mit Stürzen. Große Variationen fanden sich in Bezug auf Name des Instruments, Items, Scoring und Schwellenwert. Diese Heterogenität erschwert die Evaluation von Validität, Reliabilität und Generalisierbarkeit des Instruments. Wissenschaftler und Kliniker, die dieses Instrument einsetzen, sollten sich dieser Problematik bewusst sein.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universität Hamburg, MIN-Fakultät, Fachwissenschaft Gesundheit, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146, Hamburg, Germany

    Sascha Köpke &  Gabriele Meyer

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  1. Sascha Köpke
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  2. Gabriele Meyer
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Correspondence to Sascha Köpke.

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Köpke, S., Meyer, G. The Tinetti test. Z Gerontol Geriatr 39, 288–291 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-006-0398-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-006-0398-y

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