Tinetti Balance Assessment
Pronunciation: tih-NET-ee
Also written as: POMA — Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment
A performance-oriented mobility assessment tool evaluating both balance and gait in older adults across a combined 28-point scale, used to predict fall risk.
Full Definition
The Tinetti Balance Assessment, also known as the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), consists of two subscales: a balance component (maximum 16 points) and a gait component (maximum 12 points), yielding a combined maximum score of 28. Scores below 19 indicate high fall risk, and scores of 19–24 indicate moderate risk. Unlike the Berg Balance Scale, the Tinetti tool explicitly incorporates gait observation, making it a comprehensive mobility screen. In geriatric rehabilitation documents, the tool should be referred to by its full name or 'POMA' — not 'Tinetti test' in formal clinical writing. It is commonly encountered in falls clinic notes and community rehabilitation referral letters.
Usage
Usage note: In formal documents, prefer 'Tinetti Balance Assessment' or 'POMA' over the colloquial 'Tinetti test.' The surname 'Tinetti' takes an initial capital; do not lowercase.
In Context
- "The occupational therapist administered the Tinetti Balance Assessment, noting particular difficulty with the patient's tandem standing and step continuity." — Occupational therapy assessment note
- "A POMA score of 17 on referral triggered a structured falls prevention intervention." — Community rehabilitation referral letter