Get Up and Go Test Procedure

The patient sits in a chair with hands palm down on lap or each leg.

Ask them to get up from the chair and observe them - watching carefully for loss of balance.

• If they get up without using their arms on the chair arms they have a 'normal' test=0
• If they take have to use the chair arms but do so in one attempt they score a "1"
• If they have do this in multiple attempts but make it they score a "3"
• If they are unable to rise without assistance they score a "4" 

Then watch the patient take several steps forward watching for any

• sway path (when the patient is erect they seem to sway around in a small circle while sanding still or
• abnormal gait (shuffling, falls to one side, unable to lift feet and walk without help).

It would be very unlikely for the patient to have abnormal gait and balance with a normal "Get Up and Go". The Hendrich study found the Get Up and Go was just as accurate in predicting abnormal gait and balance as a full gait and balance assessment. This makes the HFRM tool much more practical for nursing assessment of hospitalized patients or residents. More complex assessments are available and can be performed in partnership with physical therapy should a more comprehensive assessment be indicated to measure baseline prior to gait and balance training or other therapies.

Preview HFRM II | Read more about HFRM II (934k pdf file)