BERG BALANCE SCALE
Name______________________Date_________
Can you do the following tasks? For each item score the lowest category which applies.
Sit unsupported with feet on floor
Can you sit to stand
able to sits safely and securely for 2 minutes
4
no hands and stabilises independently
4
able to sit 2 minutes under supervision
3
stand independently using hands
3
able to sit 30 seconds
2
stand using hands after several tries
2
Able to sit 10 seconds
1
minimal assistance to stand or stabilise
1
Unable to sit without support for 10 seconds
0
moderate or maximal assistance to stand
0
Can you standing unsupported
Stand unsupported with feet together
Able to stand safely for 2 minutes
4
feet together independently, stand for > 1m
4
Able to stand for 2 minutes with supervision
3
feet together independently, stand for 1m + SB
3
Able to stand 30 seconds unsupported
2
feet together independently, stand < 30s
2
several tries to stand 30 seconds unsupported
1
Assistance to attain position, stand > 15s
1
Unable to stand 30 seconds unassisted
0
Assistance to attain position, stand < 15s
0
Stand unsupported with eyes closed
Reach forward with outstretched arm
Able to stand 10 seconds safely
4
Can reach forward confidently > 26cm
4
Able to stand 10 seconds with supervision
3
Can reach forward > 13 cm
3
Able to stand 3 seconds
2
Can reach forward >5 cm
2
Eyes closed < 3 seconds but stays steady
1
Reaches forward but needs supervision
1
Needs help to keep from falling
0
Needs help to keep from falling
0
Transfers from chair to chair
Stand to sitting
transfers safely with minor use of hands
4
Sits safely with minimal use of hands
4
transfers safely with definite need of hands
3
Controls descent by using hands
3
transfers with verbal cueing and/or SB
2
Uses back of legs against chair to control
descent
2
Needs one person to assist
1
Sits independently, uncontrolled descent
1
two people to assist or supervise to be safe
0
Needs assistance to sit
0
