Which assessment tool is used to evaluate functional mobility?

The Functional Reach Test is specifically designed to assess functional mobility, particularly in evaluating a person's stability and risk for falls. This assessment measures how far a person can safely reach forward while standing. It provides valuable information about their balance and postural control during movement, which are critical components of functional mobility.

The Mini-Mental State Examination primarily evaluates cognitive function, and while cognition can influence mobility, it does not measure physical abilities directly. The North Star Ambulatory Assessment is a tool primarily used to measure ambulation in children with neuromuscular diseases, so it’s more condition-specific rather than a general assessment of functional mobility. The Oswestry Disability Index is focused on assessing disability due to low back pain, and although mobility might be affected in individuals with back pain, this tool does not directly assess functional mobility in a broader context.

Thus, the Functional Reach Test stands out as the appropriate tool for evaluating functional mobility due to its targeted focus on balance and reach, fundamental aspects of safe movement.