TWGHs Lok Kwan District Support Center Physiotherapy Service Berg Balance Scale (Berg et al, 1989)

Name Sex

: : Age :

Date :

Client No. :
1. 2. 3. 4.

Physiotherapist :

When scoring, record the lowest response category that applies for each item and please circle score Subjects should understand that they must maintain their balance while attempting the tasks. The choices of which leg to stand on or how far to reach are left to the subjects. You may demonstrate the task before the subject performs it.

Test
Sitting to Standing

Test Instruction

Scoring Instruction
Date:

Score

Standing unsupported

Sitting unsupported feet on floor

Standing to Sitting

Transfers

Standing unsupported with eyes closed Standing unsupported with feet together

Reaching forward with outstretched arm

Please stand up. Try not to use your 4 Able to stand, no hands and stabilize independently; hands for support. 3 Able to stand independently using hands; 2 Able to stand using hands after several trials; 1 Needs minimal assistance to stand or stabilize; 0 Needs moderate or maximal assistance to stand. Stand for two minutes without 4 Able to stand safely 2 minutes; holding. If subject able to stand for 3 Able to stand 2 mins with supervision; 2 mins safely, score full marks for 2 Able to stand 30 seconds unsupported; sitting unsupported. Proceed 1 Needs several tries to stand 30 secs unsupported; to position change standing to 0 Unable to stand 30 seconds unassisted. sittings. Sit with arms folded for 2 minutes. 4 Able to sit safely and securely 2 minutes; 3 Able to sit 2 mins under supervision; 2 Able to sit 30 seconds; 1 Able to sit 10 seconds; 0 Unable to sit without support 10 seconds. Please sit down. 4 Sits safely with minimal use of hands; 3 Controls descent by using hands; 2 Uses back of legs against chair to control descent; 1 Sits independent but has uncontrolled descent; 0 Needs assistance to sit. Please move from chair to bed 4 Able to transfer safely with minor use of hands; and back again; one transfer with 3 Able to transfer safely definite need use of hands; a seat with armrests and one 2 Able to transfer with verbal cueing and/or supervision; transfer with a seat without armrests. 1 Needs one person to assist; 0 Need two people to assist or supervise to be safe. Close your eyes and stand still for 10 4 Able to stand 10 seconds safely; seconds. 3 Able to stand 10 seconds with supervision; 2 Able to stand 3 seconds; 1 Unable to keep eyes closed 3 secs but stays steady; 0 Needs help to keep from falling. Place your feet together and stand 4 Able to place feet together indep and stand for 1 min safely; without holding. 3 Able to place feet together indep and stand for 1 min with supervision; 2 Able to place feet together indep but unable to hold for 30 secs; 1 Needs help to attain position but able to stand 15 secs feet together; 0 Needs help to attain position and unable to hold for 15 secs. Lift arm to 90. Stretch out your 4 Can reach forward confidently > 10 inches; fingers and reach forward as far 3 Can reach forward > 5 inches safely; as you can. 2 Can reach forward > 2 inches safely; (Examiner places a ruler at end of 1 Reaches forward but needs supervision; fingertips when arm is at 90. Fingers 0 Needs help to keep from falling.
should not touch the ruler while reaching forward. The recorded measure is the distance forward that the fingers reach while the subject is in the most forward lean position.)

Test

Test Instruction

Scoring Instruction
Date: 4 Able to pick up slipper safely and easily; 3 Able to pick up slipper but needs supervision; 2 Unable to pick up but reaches 1 2 from slipper and keeps balance indep; 1 Unable to pick up and needs supervision while trying; 0 Unable to try needs assistance to keep from falling. 4 Look behind from both sides and weight shifts well; 3 Looks behind one side only, other side shows less weight shift; 2 Turn sideways only but maintain balance; 1 Needs supervision when turning; 0 Needs assistance to keep from falling. 4 Able to turn 360 safely in < 4 seconds each side; 3 Able to turn 360 safely one side only < 4 seconds; 2 Able to turn 360 safely but slowly; 1 Needs close supervision or verbal cueing; 0 Needs assistance while turning. 4 Able to stand indep and safely and complete 8 steps in 20 seconds; 3 Able to stand indep and complete 8 steps > 20 secs; 2 Able to complete 4 steps without aid with supervision; 1 Able to complete > 2 steps needs minimal assistance; 0 Needs assistance to keep from falling/unable to try.

Score

Pick up object Pick up the shoe/slipper, which is from placed in front of your feet. the floor

Turning to look Behind over left and Right shoulders Turn 360 degrees

Turn to look behind you toward left shoulder. Repeat to the right.

Turn completely around in a full circle. Pause. Then turn a full circle in the other direction.

Placing alternate foot on stool (Dynamic weight shifting while standing unsupported) Standing unsupported foot in front

Place each foot alternately on the stool. Continue until each foot has touched the stool four times.

(Demonstrate to subject) Place one foot directly in front of the other. If you feel that you cannot place your foot directly in front, try to step far enough ahead that the heel of your forward foot is ahead of the toes of the other foot. Standing on Stand on one leg as long as you can one leg without holding.

4 3 2 1 0

Able to place foot tandem indep and hold 30 seconds; Able to place foot ahead of other indep and hold 30 seconds; Able to take small step indep and hold 30 seconds; Needs help to step but can hold 15 seconds; Losses balance while at stepping or standing.

4 3 2 1

Able to lift leg indep and hold > 10 seconds; Able to lift leg indep and hold 5 10 seconds; Able to lift leg indep and hold = or > 3 seconds; Tries to lift leg, unable to hold 3 secs but remains standing indep; 0 Unable to try or needs assistance to prevent falls.

Total score : Physiotherapist Signature :

Remarks: a) Berg et al., 1989 BB Score BB Score BB Score

0 20 21 40 41 56

poor balance fair balance good balance

b) Berg et al., 1992 , Bogle Thorbahn & Newton, 1996 BB Score <45 indicated someone is impaired, with an increased risk for fall