4AT (Rapid Assessment Test for Delirium)ACS-NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator AD8 Dementia Screening Anticholinergic Burden Score (ACB)Barthel Index Beers Criteria (PIMs)Berg Balance Scale Braden Scale CAM — Confusion Assessment Method Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR)Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)Clock Drawing Test (CDT)Cornell Scale for Depression (CSDD)DOSS (Delirium Observation Screening Scale)DRS-R-98 (Delirium Rating Scale)Drug Burden Index (DBI)Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS)FRAIL Scale Fried Frailty Phenotype Functional Independence Measure (FIM)Functional Reach Test Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI)HELP Score (Postoperative Delirium Risk)Hendrich II Fall Risk Model ICIQ-UI SF interRAI Clinical Assessment IQCODE Katz Index of Independence in ADLs Lawton Instrumental ADL Scale mFI-5 Preoperative Frailty Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) - Full Mini-Cog MMSE MNA-SF (Short Form)Morse Fall Scale MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool)Norton Scale OAB-V8 OST (Osteoporosis Screening Tool)OSTA (Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians)Six-Item Screener (SIS)SPMSQ STOPP/START Criteria STRATIFY Risk Assessment Tool Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test Triage Risk Screening Tool (TRST)Waterlow Score

Recent Journal Updates

BJOGJun 11, 2026

Finding the Balance: Can We Optimise Episiotomy Practices to Reduce OASIS?

Clinical Context

We think this might be relevant to the clinical guidance for Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

DiabetologiaJun 8, 2026

Genetics of MASLD: a diabetes perspective

Clinical Context

We think this has broad domain relevance to Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

DiabetologiaJun 6, 2026

SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination and the risk for new-onset type 1 diabetes: a register-based population study in Sweden

Clinical Context

We think this might be relevant to the clinical guidance for Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

Berg Balance Scale

Berg Balance Scale: 14-task performance-based assessment. Score 0–56. Each task observed directly by a trained clinician.

Score each task by direct observation (0–4)

1. Sitting to Standing

2. Standing Unsupported (2 min)

3. Sitting Unsupported (2 min)

4. Standing to Sitting

5. Transfers (chair to chair)

6. Standing Eyes Closed (10 sec)

7. Standing Feet Together (1 min)

8. Reaching Forward (Functional Reach)

9. Pick Up Object from Floor

10. Turning to Look Behind

11. Turning 360 Degrees

12. Alternating Foot Taps (8 times each)

13. Tandem Standing

14. Standing on One Leg

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026

When to Use

Baseline and serial balance assessment in stroke, Parkinson's disease, and frailty rehabilitation.

Predicting fall risk in community-dwelling and hospitalised older adults.

Monitoring response to physiotherapy interventions targeting balance and gait.

Pre-discharge balance clearance for older adults following hip fracture repair or prolonged bed rest.

Gold Standard for Balance

The BBS is the most widely validated performance-based balance tool in rehabilitation medicine, with >1,000 publications supporting its use across stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and geriatric populations.

Related Scores in Practice

In clinical practice, this assessment is frequently evaluated alongside other validated measures. Depending on the patient's presentation and specific diagnostic requirements, you may also need to utilize the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, Morse Fall Scale, Hendrich II Fall Risk Model or the Functional Reach Test to formulate a comprehensive care plan.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026