What POMA score indicates a high fall risk?

The Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) is a tool used to assess a person’s balance and gait, specifically to determine their risk of falls. The scoring range of the POMA is typically from 0 to 28, with lower scores indicating a higher risk of falling.

A score of 18 is indeed indicative of a high fall risk. This threshold has been established in clinical practice, where scores below 19 suggest increased concerns regarding balance and mobility, leading to a heightened risk of falls. Therefore, any score at or below this level prompts further evaluation and potentially intervention to mitigate fall risks in at-risk populations, such as the elderly.

In contrast, scores higher than 18 would generally be associated with lower fall risks, as they indicate better performance on balance and mobility tasks assessed by the POMA.