The Tinetti Assessment Method - Essay Example

Tinetti Assessment The Tinetti assessment method is one of the most fundamental aspects of physiotherapy because it allows for the development of an accurate account of the physical condition of an individual. It should be noted that the Tinetti assessment is valid because it tends to be as accurate as possible when measuring the manner through which the aging process affects the physical attributes of the people being tested. Not only does it allow for their being able to get an accurate reading of their physiological condition, but it also allows for the development of a better perspective concerning the manner through which the individuals undergoing the measurement can be helped to live better lives from a physiotherapeutic perspective (Cipriany-Dacko et al, 1997). As a result of its validity, the Tinetti method helps in ensuring that accurate measurements are achieved in such a way that it makes it possible for physiotherapy to be conducted in a way that is compatible with the physical condition of the individual involved rather than relying on methods that are not accurate. In addition, the Tinetti method is highly reliable because it helps in the development of a better perspective concerning how best to help those individuals who might be suffering from diverse physiological conditions. The reliability of this method can be attributed to the way that it is conducted because it allows for the measurement of different aspects of individual physiology in a bid to ensure that only accurate measurements are achieved (Kegelmeyer et al, 2007). The method of measurement is one where the results attained are reproducible in such a way that it ensures accuracy because it is the latter which determines whether or not an elderly person is going to receive the best physiotherapeutic treatment possible without there being any negative side effects. The reliability of this method can also be attributed to the way through which the physical exam is conducted because it not only measures the physiological condition of patients according to their age, but it also factors in the problems that are likely to develop in situations where individuals undergo the aging process. Moreover, it should be noted that the Tinetti method is also extremely sensitive to the needs of the elderly because it ensure that only the most accurate results are obtained. These results are used in such a way that they help in the development of a physiotherapeutic regimen that can be used on the elderly patients for the purpose of not only keeping them in the best physical form that they can achieve, but also give them the confidence to undergo physiotherapy (Lubetzki-Vilnai & Kartin, 2010). Sensitivity can also be witnessed in the manner through which the assessment is carried out because instead of the generalisations that have become the norm in other assessment methods. The Tinetti method is tends to focus more on the individual patient and his current physiological condition rather than what it should be and this sensitivity makes it possible for patients to have a positive perspective not only on their physical condition, but also on the methods that are employed for their treatment. These articles by Cipriany-Dacko et al (1997) and Kegelmeyer et al (2007) emphasise that the Tinetti method is the best when it comes to the assessment of balance and gait among the elderly. These authors suggest that the Tinetti method is the most effective in making an analysis of the manner through which the elderly are affected by various ailments such as Parkinson’s disease. They suggest that this test allows physiotherapists to determine the progress of their patients over time in such a way that ensures that the patient is provided with the best care possible as well as the therapy needed to ensure that their gait and balance is maintained at a stable rate. These articles further suggest that it is through the intervention of the Tinetti method that a proper observational gait analysis can be conducted because it ensures that there is a study of the various factors that affect gait such as initiation and stepping. Cipriany-Dacko et al (1997) especially states that in elderly patients, such an analysis is helpful because it takes an active role in the development of therapeutic methods designed to make sure that patients are not only made comfortable in their environment, but also that they receive the necessary care to ensure that they maintain their mobility for as long as possible. Kegelmeyer et al (2007) and Cipriany-Dacko et al (1997) further agree that the Tinetti method is very effective in ensuring that there is a reduction in the cases of elderly patients’ falling as a result of the objective studies and observations that are conducted in matters concerning gait and balance. Despite the positive attitude that these two articles have taken towards the Tinetti method, they seem to have ignored some aspects of this form of balance and gait measurement. Among these is that the Tinetti method is not the only one that can be used to measure gait and balance and that there is a significant number of other methods available. For example, neither of the articles takes the time to make a comparison between the Tinetti method and other methods such as the Berg Balance Scale and the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction (McNevin, et al, 2013). Such a comparison would have been useful in ensuring that the advantages of the Tinetti assessment method over the other methods are brought to the forefront; showing that this method, which is essentially older than the others, is still the best to use. Furthermore, neither of the articles is ailing to consider that there might be errors in the Tinetti method because they do not analyse it as critically as would be expected in a scholarly research. However, despite these deficiencies, these articles provide a lot of information about the manner through which the Tinetti method has continued to remain relevant into the contemporary world. This is because it is still the best assessment method that can be used to ensure that there are accurate measurements of the balance and gait of elderly individuals with diverse medical conditions. References Cipriany-Dacko, L.M., Innerst, D., Johanssen, J. & Rude, V. 1997, “Interrater Reliability of the Tinetti Balance Scores in Novice and Experienced Physical Therapy Clinicians.” Arch Phys Med Rehabil, vol.78, pp.1160 – 1164. Kegelmeyer, D.A., Kloos, A.D., Thomas, K.M, & Kostyk, S.K. 2007, “Reliability and Validity of the Tinetti Mobility Test for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.” PHYS THER, vol. 87, pp.1369-1378. Lubetzki-Vilnai, A. & Kartin, D. 2010, "The effect of balance training on balance performance in individuals poststroke: a systematic review." Journal of neurologic physical therapy, vol. 34, no. 3, pp.127–137. McNevin, N., Weir, P., & Quinn, T. 2013, "Effects of Attentional Focus and Age on Suprapostural Task Performance and Postural Control." Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, vol. 84, no. 1, pp.96–103. Read More