The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a widely used clinical assessment tool designed to evaluate a person’s balance and functional mobility, particularly in older adults, to assess their risk of falling. It consists of 14 tasks, each scored on a scale from 0 to 4, where:

• 0 indicates the lowest level of function (unable to perform the task).
• 4 indicates the highest level of function (able to complete the task independently and safely).

The total score ranges from 0 to 56. A higher score indicates better balance and a lower risk of falls. Generally, the interpretation of the total BBS score is:

• 41-56 points: Low risk of falls, indicating independent walking capability.
• 21-40 points: Medium risk of falls, suggesting the need for some type of walking assistance (e.g., cane or walker).
• 0-20 points: High risk of falls, likely requiring assistance with mobility, such as a wheelchair.

It’s a valuable tool for healthcare professionals to objectively measure balance deficits, track progress over time, and help predict rehabilitation outcomes.