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The Berg Balance Scale is a testing tool with high validity and reliability used to measure balance. Balance gives an individual the ability to achieve physical movement and further carry out the activities of daily living. Balance can be classified as either static or dynamic. It was first created to be used in elderly individuals; however, it has been used in other individuals, such as amputees and persons with neurological conditions as Parkinson disease and strokes. This scale has also been used to assess the risk of falls and predict the length of stay during inpatient rehabilitation. Objectives: Describe the clinical uses of the Berg Balance Scale. Explain the meaning of the numerical results. Explain what individuals benefit from performing this test. Explain what balance is and how it can affect an individual. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

The Berg Balance Scale is a test used to assess functional balance. It was created by Katherine Berg in 1989 to evaluate balance ability in the elderly, with the initial target population having an average age of 73.[1][2] It evaluates both dynamic and static balance through 14 tasks regarding mobility. In the beginning, it was mostly used to assess stroke patients; however, this test has shown high validity and reliability in various patient populations, including neurological conditions such as Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and acquired conditions as lower extremity amputees.[3] The scale has been useful in predicting the risk of falls and outcomes and even assessing the length of stay at inpatient rehabilitation.[4] It is a short test that can be performed relatively quickly under different environments.

Balance is an ability we have to carry out motion and mobility throughout our daily activities effectively. It is composed of different factors, including but not limited to somatosensory, vestibular, and postural responses, among others. Neurological conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, and other studied populations as lower extremity amputees can lead to impaired balance, which can, in turn, lead to an increased risk of falls and a further decline in daily function and performance of ADLs. Maintaining proper balance can further prevent falls, a common health issue with possible serious complications, especially in the elderly. The Berg Balance Scale is a test that can be performed during an inpatient rehabilitation stay as part of the goals and treatment plan for the individual affected. The goals set are then further assessed during interdisciplinary team rounds that can include the occupational therapist, physical therapist, nursing staff, social worker, and physiatrist to conjunctively come up with a plan and prepare the patient for discharge. The entire team is responsible for assessing the patients' needs as they spend the most time with the patient and can further predict what the patient will need after discharge. This is why the scale is useful, as durable medical equipment (DME) and family training can be done for a safe discharge. Furthermore, when performing this test, the nursing staff can monitor for any changes in vital signs during the testing if the patient is unable to tolerate and becomes hemodynamically unstable. The multidisciplinary team, composed of the healthcare workers, also needs the ability to communicate with the family member and/or caregivers, that is aware of the risks of falls, and aware of expectations with test score results can further improve outcomes as even after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation the patient needs to continue treatment at home.