Berg Balance Scale (BBS)

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Objectives

  • The Berg Balance Scale (or BBS) is a widely used clinical test of a person’s static and dynamic balance abilities.

Intended Population

  • Elderly population with impairment of balance and patients with a history of but not limited to stroke, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Ataxia, vertigo, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease.

Features

Items

  • The scale has 14 items.
  • Balance is assessed via performing functional activities such as reaching, bending, transferring, and standing that incorporates most components of postural control: sitting and transferring safely between chairs; standing with feet apart, feet together, in single-leg stance, and feet in the tandem Romberg position with eyes open or closed; reaching and stooping down to pick something off the floor.

Rating

  • Each item is scored along a 5-point scale, ranging from 0 to 4, each grade with well-established criteria. Zero indicates the lowest level of function and 4 the highest level of function.
  • The total score ranges from 0 to 56. 

Equipments required 

  • A ruler
  • 2 standard chairs (one with arm rests, one without)
  • A footstool or step
  • 15 ft walkway
  • Stopwatch or wristwatch

Time to administer

The test takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

YOU CAN USE THIS FORM BELOW TO ASSESS YOUR PATIENT AND PRINT IT OUT OR SAVE AS PDF FILE.





Authors:

BBS was published on 1989 by Berg, Wood-Dauphinee, Williams and Maki.

References

  1. Berg K, Wood-Dauphinee S, Williams JI, Maki, B: Measuring balance in the elderly: Validation of an instrument.
    Can. J. Pub. Health, July/August supplement 2:S7-11, 1992
  2. Berg K, Wood-Dauphinee S, Williams JI, Gayton D: Measuring balance in the elderly: Preliminary development of an instrument. Physiotherapy Canada, 41:304-311, 1989.

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