that in whole or in part accounted for variation in length
of stay and functional independence measure scores.1 Balance
impairment is highly prevalent in patients with head injuries,
peripheral neuropathy, or vestibular disorders.2-15 Tjon et al doc-
umented postural instability in patients with rheumatoid arthri-
tis while others have shown that a relationship exists between
age and sway, with sway increasing after age 40.16-20 Balance
is not only affected in those with disease processes or trauma.
Balance disturbances have also been documented in healthy
senior citizens.21-24 Investigators have found a direct relation-
ship between abnormal tests of balance and unexplained falls
in older adults.24-26