Is the BESS test really the best option?
As some of you may know, I am a teacher at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, and one of the subjects I teach is research and innovation. This Year, four of my students completed a research project concerning the BESS test for use in cases of mTBI. I am very proud of the work they have done and wanted to allow them to showcase their results here.
This unpublished qualitative study, led by Greta Ilcsik, Edmond Bayo, Jasper Wesselink, and Nora Dijkstra, examines the perceived pros and cons of the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) test for post-concussion patients, with a specific focus on athletes. The research involves in-depth interviews with expert physiotherapists in the field of concussions to delve into their knowledge, experiences, and opinions on various balance assessment methods they use.
The goal is to understand the current practices in balance testing post-concussions and determine if a dynamic approach might be more effective than the static BESS test, particularly for athletes. The findings suggest that although the BESS test is convenient for clinical settings due to its lack of specialized equipment and quick implementation, it is not widely known among physiotherapists and can be challenging to use with certain patients.
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About the author:
Robert Goddard,
Lead Musculoskeletal Therapist & Educator
Robert Goddard is the owner and lead musculoskeletal therapist at Fysiotherapie Noorderbad in Groningen. He holds both British and Dutch citizenship and is fully bilingual, enabling him to effectively communicate and work in both English and Dutch environments. Robert earned his Master of Science in Musculoskeletal Manual Therapy from SOMT University of Physiotherapy and serves as an internship supervisor for their master’s program. Additionally, he is a lecturer and internship supervisor at Hanze University of Applied Sciences. Currently, Robert is further specializing as an orofacial therapist at the HAN university of applied sciences.
Areas of Expertise:
- Orofacial dysfunction
- Vestibular and oculomotor disorders
- Persistent spinal dysfunctions, including cervicogenic headaches, whiplash-associated disorders, and traumatic head and neck injuries such as concussions and post-concussion syndrome
Research Interests:
- Bruxism
- Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD)
Robert’s commitment to integrating clinical practice with academic research ensures that patients receive evidence-based care tailored to their specific needs.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit Fysiotherapie Noorderbad.
Published papers:
DOI: 10.1016/j.dscb.2024.100131
DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2017.04.035
articles about me/my research:
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