BERG BALANCE SCALE (BBS)
Interpretation of Individual Item Scores
Item
1. Sit to Stand
Possible Impairments
1. Lower and/or upper body weakness
2.
Poor dynamic COG control
3.
Abnormal weight distribution
Recommended Exercises
Wall sits; U and LB exercises with resistance.
(Quads, biceps/triceps, hip ab/dductors)
Seated/standing balance activities emphasizing
Forward weight shifts
Standing balance activities with EC
(controlled sway in A-P and lateral directions)
2. Stand for Two Minutes
1. Poor gaze stabilization
2. Lower body weakness
3. Abnormal weight distribution in standing
Teach gaze fixation and stabilization techniques.
Wall sits; LB exercises with resistance
COG standing balance activities
3. Sitting for Two Minutes
1. Poor trunk stabilization and/or UB weakness
UB exercises with resistance (own body); seated
balance activities on compliant surfaces.
Stand against wall with EC; somatosensory cues
2. Abnormal perception of true vertical
4. Stand to Sit
1. Poor dynamic COG control
2. Lower and/or upper body weakness
3. Poor trunk flexibility
5. Transfer (Chair to Chair)
1. Poor dynamic control of COG
2.
6. Stand with EC (10 sec)
Lower and/or upper body weakness
1. Poor use of somatosensory inputs.
Visual dependency and/or fear of falling
2. Lower body weakness
7. Stand with feet together (1 Min) 1. Poor COG control
2. Weak hip ab/dductors
8. Standing Forward Reach
1. Poor dynamic COG control
(Reduced Limits of Stability)
2. Lower body weakness
3. Reduced ankle ROM
Seated/standing balance activities emphasizing
backward weight shifts.
U and LB exercises with resistance (own body/
theraband: emphasize eccentric component.
Flexibility exercises emphasizing trunk rotation/
flexion. Seated and standing.
Seated/standing balance activities emphasizing
multidirectional weight shifts
U and LB exercises with resistance
Seated/standing balance activities with EC.
Verbally emphasize use of surface cues.
Wall sits; LB exercises with resistance
Standing balance activities with reduced BOS.
Lateral leg raises/weight shifts against resistance
Seated/standing COG activities emphasizing
leaning away from and back to midline
LB exercises with resistance (body/theraband)
(dorsiflexors; gastroc/soleus muscles)
Flexibility exercises (dorsiflexion emphasized)
Item
9. Pick Up Object
Possible Impairments
1. Poor dynamic COG control
2. Poor upper and lower body flexibility
3. Lower body weakness
4. Vestibular impairment (dizziness?)
10. Turn to Look Behind
1. Poor dynamic COG control
2. Poor neck and/or trunk flexibility
3. Lower body weakness
11. Turn in a Circle
1. Poor dynamic COG control
2.
3.
Vestibular impairment (dizziness)?
Lower body weakness
Recommended Exercises
Seated/standing COG activities emphasizing
leaning away from and back to midline
Selected exercises to improve U and LB flexion
LB exercises with resistance (body/theraband)
Head and eye movements:habituation exercises
Standing weight shifts in lateral direction
Selected exercises emphasizing rotation of neck,
shoulder, and hips
LB exercises with resistance; ball movement
exercises in standing position.
Standing weight transfer activities; gait
pattern enhancement (turns, directional changes)
Head and eye movement coordination exercises
LB exercises with resistance; emphasize hip and
knee flexion; hip ab/dduction.
12. Dynamic Toe Touch
1. Poor dynamic COG control
2. Lower body weakness
Standing weight shifts in lateral/A-P directions
LB exercises with resistance; emphasize hip and
knee flexion; hip ab/dduction.
13. Tandem Stance
1. Poor static and dynamic COG control
Standing A-P weight shifts and transfers;
reduced BOS activities.
LB exercises with resistance (body/theraband)
emphasize hip ab/dductors
Practice focusing on visual targets in front of, and at head
eight during standing and moving activities.
2. Lower body weakness
3. Poor gaze stabilization
14. Stand on One Leg
1. Poor static and dynamic COG control
2. Lower body weakness
3. Poor gaze stabilization
Standing A-P weight shifts and transfers;
reduced BOS activities
LB exercises with resistance (body/theraband)
emphasize hip ab/dductors
Practice focusing on visual targets during
standing and moving activities.
Key: A-P = Anterior-posterior direction; BOS = Base of Support; COG = Center of Gravity; LB = Lower Body; U = Upper.