Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
What It Measures
The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) checks how safely a person can hold their balance through 14 everyday tasks — standing up from a chair, standing with eyes closed, reaching forward, picking something up off the floor, turning to look behind, turning in a full circle, standing on one foot. Each is scored 0 to 4, and the total runs 0 to 56.
The scale captures both static balance (holding a position) and dynamic balance (staying steady while moving). Points are reduced for needing supervision, needing help, or taking longer than allowed. Higher totals mean better balance, and lower scores are associated with greater fall risk. Notably, it does not assess walking, so a full mobility picture needs a paired ambulation assessment.
Further Reading
Additional Notes
Licensing Notes: The scale is widely available at no cost through clinical and academic sites.
Learn More: Reported minimal detectable change values are about 4 points if the initial score falls in the 45–56 range, 5 points for 35–44, 7 points for 25–34, and 5 points for 0–24. The scale also has a known ceiling effect in higher-functioning groups, so it can miss improvement in someone already scoring near 56.
