360 Degree Turn Test

The 360 Degree Turn Test times one full standing turn and can count the steps taken. It checks dynamic balance and turning, is recommended by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy’s Parkinson’s task force for all disease stages, and takes under 5 minutes.

How to give the test

1. Put a short piece of tape on the floor to mark the start. Have the person stand with arms by their sides and feet comfortably apart, pointing toward the tape.
2. Tell them to turn all the way around in one full circle, in whichever direction they like, when you say “Go.”
3. Start timing on “Go.” Stop when their shoulders are facing you again. If you are counting steps, count each foot placement during the turn.
4. Do two trials. The score is the average of the two.

This is a measurement, not a diagnosis. The 360 Degree Turn Test shows how quickly and steadily someone can turn in a circle. It can’t tell you why, or what treatment is needed. Results should be reviewed with a physical therapist or another licensed health care provider who examines the person.

Reading the result

Reference values, not pass/fail rules. The numbers below come from specific published study groups. Use them as a guide alongside your own examination.

• More than 3.8 seconds (community-dwelling adults over 70): a threshold after which the rate of new dependence in daily activities rose significantly (Gill et al., 1995). In that study, the fastest quarter turned in 1.1 to 2.4 s and the slowest quarter in 3.9 to 23 s.
• More than 9.1 seconds or more than 12 steps (nursing-home residents): more common among people with 2 or more falls in 6 months (Lipsitz et al., 1991).
• Fallers vs. non-fallers at a senior center: average 2.7 s vs. 2.2 s (Dai et al., 2012).
• Practice effect: step counts improved when retested 48 hours later (Tager et al., 1998), so compare retests with care.