Do you sometimes feel a little unsteady or off balance when standing or walking? Or does your elderly relative have this problem? Then this is something that is very important to you. It is a test called the Berg Balance Scale . Simply put, it measures how well you can safely maintain your balance.
What is this Berg Balance Scale? To be precise...
Simply put, the Berg Balance Scale is a way to measure your body's balance, or balance. More specifically, it measures your functional balance , or how well and safely you can move around while maintaining your balance while performing everyday tasks.
In this, your doctor or physical therapist will give you 14 small tasks to do. They will give you a score based on how well you do each task, from zero to four (0-4). Finally, they add up all the scores. The higher the score, the better your balance will be.
This is a very simple, and reliable test . "Reliable" means that we can trust the results of this test because they are fairly consistent. Studies have even shown that even when different health care workers perform this test on the same person, the results are very similar. This means that we can have a lot of confidence in the results.
Who should take the Berg Balance Test? (In what situations is this done?)
The Berg Balance Scale was originally designed to test the balance of people over the age of 65 or those who have had a stroke . This is because these people are more likely to have balance problems, making it difficult for them to move around safely.
But now, doctors, especially occupational therapists , clinical exercise physiologists , and physical therapists, use this test to measure the balance of people with various medical conditions.
Some of them are:
- Parkinson's disease
- Osteoarthritis ( arthritis caused by wear and tear of bones and joints)
- Limb loss or amputation
- Inner ear (vestibular) problems
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Traumatic brain injuries due to accidents
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lung diseases
- Progressive dementia conditions
- Alzheimer's disease
- Intellectual disabilities
When the Berg Balance Scale was introduced in 1989, it was thought to provide an idea of balance as well as fall risk . However, research over time has shown that this test alone is not reliable enough to predict whether someone will fall or not.
So, nowadays, doctors use it mainly to measure static balance . That is, how well you balance when you are standing still. It doesn't give much of an idea about your gait , which is how you carry yourself when you walk. So, if your doctor wants to know exactly how likely you are to fall, they may do other tests along with this test.
How is this Berg Balance Test done? What is the process?
It's very simple. Your doctor or health care provider will ask you to do a series of tasks that involve sitting, standing, or moving your body. As we mentioned earlier, there are 14 tasks. Depending on how well you do each task, they will give you a score from zero to four (0-4). Then they add up all the scores. The maximum score you can get is 56.
This ``Berg Balance Scale'' test usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
What to expect before, during, and after the test?
Is there anything to prepare before the test?
No, you don't need to do anything special to prepare for this test. When you see your doctor, he or she will explain how the test is performed. The most important thing is to relax and be prepared.
What do you have to do when taking the test? (What are those 14 tasks?)
The doctor will tell you to do these 14 specific movements/tasks:
1. Stand up from a sitting position. (You need to get up from the chair without any support.)
2. Stand without any support. (With both arms crossed across the chest for about two minutes.)
3. Sit without any support (without leaning back, with both hands on your hips for two minutes.)
4. Stand up and sit down again.
5. Move from one chair to another. (From a chair with arms to a chair without arms, and back again.)
6. Close your eyes and stand without any support. (About 10 seconds.)
7. Stand with your legs together (without any support for about a minute).
8. Extend your arms forward and bend your body as far as possible. (Without moving your legs or falling.)
9. Pick up something on the floor. (For example, something like a shoe.)
10. Turn to look behind you. (To both sides, without moving your legs.)
11. Spin a full circle. (360 degrees.)
12. Place one leg on a small stool in front of you, alternating between them. (Several times with one leg.)
13. Stand without support, with one leg straight in front of the other. (This is called a tandem stand.)
14. Stand on one leg as long as possible.
While doing all this, the doctor will be watching you, noting how you are doing, whether you have balance, whether you are dizzy, etc. Don't worry, this won't hurt you.
What happens after the test?
After you complete all 14 tasks, your doctor will add up your scores and tell you the results. Based on those results, they will decide what further tests you need to do or what treatment you should start.
What do the scores on the Berg Balance Scale mean?
The Berg Balance Scale scores range from 0 to 56. The lower your score, the more likely you are to lose your balance and fall. Similarly, the higher your score, the better your functional mobility, or ability to move around safely.
More points are awarded based on things like:
- If you can complete the task without anyone's help. That is, if you can do the task without using any other body part, such as your hands, for balance, or without the help of the person administering the test.
- If you can maintain that position for the specified period of time, the amount of time you need to hold it varies depending on the task, but most are less than a minute.
- If you can move steadily and without shaking, the doctor will look at how you maintain your posture and balance your body weight while performing various tasks.
This is how your doctor interprets your scores:
- Scores 0 to 20: A person with a score in this range may often need the assistance of a wheelchair to get around safely.
- Scores 21 to 40: A person with a score in this range may need some kind of walking assistance , such as a cane or walker.
- Scores 41 to 56: A person with a score in this range is considered independent. This means that they should be able to get around safely without any assistance.
When can I know the results of the test?
Since both the test and the score are done at the same time you see the doctor, you can get the results before you leave. Your doctor will explain what the scores mean for your health and what you need to do next.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have persistent balance problems, such as dizziness , unsteadiness , or frequent falls , you should definitely see a doctor. Sometimes balance problems get better over time. However, sometimes they can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.
In particular, if you have balance problems for more than an hour, or if you have balance problems along with these other symptoms, see a doctor immediately:
* Headaches
* Neck pain
* Nausea and vomiting
A doctor can examine you, find out what's causing this, and then develop a treatment plan that's right for you.
Finally, take-home message
The Berg Balance Scale is a very short, simple test. However, it can give you a good idea of how well you can balance in everyday activities. It can also help your doctor decide whether you need additional support, such as a wheelchair or a cane.
So, if you have any balance issues, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor. If you do this test, be sure to ask for a clear explanation of what the results mean, what to do next, and what you can do to resolve or manage your balance issues. Your health is very important to you!
` Balance, Balance Test, Berg Balance Scale, Falls, Aged Care, Physiotherapy, Neurology
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