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The Functional Reach Test (FRT) is a simple, portable, clinically accepted tool that is used to measure semi-static balance. In a recent study, video recordings and software elaborationshave beenperformed by a computerized system to determinethe FRT objectively (computerized FRT, cFRT):here an in-depthstudy on the measuring error of the above system is proposed.Main uncertainty sources identifiedare (a) geometrical errorsdue to the alignment of the camera calibration plane with the real motion plane, (b) the difference in depth between the above planes, (c) the image aberration due to the lens that compress the pixels and (d) the software error in position estimation using a template matching algorithm. The uncertainty evaluation is performed by means Monte CarloSimulationsand results suggest that both the depth error and the barrel distortion are the more relevant source of error, althoughthe aberration can be corrected by one of the many algorithms available in literature. Results can be useful to define a measurement protocol to improve the performances of thesystem for a better clinical effectiveness.

Materials and methods A cross-sectional, retrospective data analysis of 409 community dwelling diabetic patients was performed to describe, compare and verify possible associations between the variables. We followed the recommendations of international guidelines [1] and defined two main groups: non-fallers (NF, no episode of falls in the past 12 months) and at risk of falling (RF, at least 1 fall in the past 12 months). Patients voluntarily participated in a campaign for prevention and detection of diabetes, during one day of activity. The clinical assessment was composed by (a) questionnaire of Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, (b) tactile and vibration perception [2,3], (c) functional reach test and (d) self-reported falls occurrence questionnaire in the past 12 months. Descriptive statistics, T tests and Chi-Square tests were used to identify differences between groups (a=5%). Results There were higher occurrences of falls in elderly DM patients than in older adults (Figure 1). There were no differences of DPN-related symptoms, time of DM onset and the number of tactile insensate foot regions between groups. However, the fallers presented decreased vibration perception and lower functional reach test score compared to non-fallers.