| ARCHETYPE ID | openEHR-EHR-OBSERVATION.berg_balance_scale.v1 |
|---|---|
| Concept | Berg Balance Scale (BBS) |
| Description | A performance-based assessment of static and dynamic balance ability, consisting of 14 tasks scored on a five-point ordinal scale. |
| Use | Use to record the results for each of the 14 component tasks and their total sum for the Berg Balance Scale. |
| Misuse | Not to be used to record assessment of balance using other instruments or scales. Use a specific archetype for this purpose. |
| Purpose | Use to record the component task scores and total score for the Berg Balance Scale. |
| References | Berg KO, Wood-Dauphinee SL, Williams JI, Gayton D. Measuring balance in the elderly: preliminary development of an instrument. Physiother Can. 1989;41(6):304-11. Berg KO, Wood-Dauphinee SL, Williams JI, Maki B. Measuring balance in the elderly: validation of an instrument. Can J Public Health. 1992;83 Suppl 2:S7-11. |
| Copyright | © openEHR Norway |
| Authors | Author name: Karsten Øvretveit Organisation: Helse Vest IKT Email: karsten.ovretveit@helse-vest-ikt.no Date originally authored: 2026-05-28 |
| Other Details Language | Author name: Karsten Øvretveit Organisation: Helse Vest IKT Email: karsten.ovretveit@helse-vest-ikt.no Date originally authored: 2026-05-28 |
| Other Details (Language Independent) |
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| Keywords | balance, postural control, fall risk, functional balance, mobility, balance assessment, BBS |
| Lifecycle | published |
| UID | d06900fb-4c7f-4497-a53a-124ebcfa2335 |
| Language used | en |
| Citeable Identifier | 1013.1.8319 |
| Revision Number | 1.0.0 |
| data | |
| 1. Sitting to standing | 1. Sitting to standing: 4: Able to stand without using hands and stabilize independently 3: Able to stand independently using hands 2: Able to stand using hands after several tries 1: Needs minimal aid to stand or stabilize 0: Needs moderate or maximal assist to stand |
| 2. Standing unsupported | 2. Standing unsupported: 4: Able to stand safely for 2 minutes 3: Able to stand 2 minutes with supervision 2: Able to stand 30 seconds unsupported 1: Needs several tries to stand 30 seconds unsupported 0: Unable to stand 30 seconds unsupported |
| 3. Sitting with back unsupported but feet supported on floor or on a stool | 3. Sitting with back unsupported but feet supported on floor or on a stool: 4: Able to sit safely and securely for 2 minutes 3: Able to sit 2 minutes under supervision 2: Able to sit 30 seconds 1: Able to sit 10 seconds 0: Unable to sit without support 10 seconds |
| 4. Standing to sitting | 4. Standing to sitting: 4: Sits safely with minimal use of hands 3: Controls descent by using hands 2: Uses back of legs against chair to control descent 1: Sits independently but has uncontrolled descent 0: Needs assist to sit |
| 5. Transfers | 5. Transfers: 4: Able to transfer safely with minor use of hands 3: Able to transfer safely definite need of hands 2: Able to transfer with verbal cuing and/or supervision 1: Needs one person to assist 0: Needs two people to assist or supervise to be safe |
| 6. Standing unsupported with eyes closed | 6. Standing unsupported with eyes closed: 4: Able to stand 10 seconds safely 3: Able to stand 10 seconds with supervision 2: Able to stand 3 seconds 1: Unable to keep eyes closed 3 seconds but stays safely 0: Needs help to keep from falling |
| 7. Standing unsupported with feet together | 7. Standing unsupported with feet together: 4: Able to place feet together independently and stand 1 minute safely 3: Able to place feet together independently and stand 1 minute with supervision 2: Able to place feet together independently but unable to hold for 30 seconds 1: Needs help to attain position but able to stand 15 seconds feet together 0: Needs help to attain position and unable to hold for 15 seconds |
| 8. Reaching forward with outstretched arm while standing | 8. Reaching forward with outstretched arm while standing: 4: Can reach forward confidently 25 cm (10 inches) 3: Can reach forward 12 cm (5 inches) 2: Can reach forward 5 cm (2 inches) 1: Reaches forward but needs supervision 0: Loses balance while trying/requires external support |
| 9. Pick up object from the floor from a standing position | 9. Pick up object from the floor from a standing position: 4: Able to pick up slipper safely and easily 3: Able to pick up slipper but needs supervision 2: Unable to pick up but reaches 2-5 cm (1-2 inches) from slipper and keeps balance independently 1: Unable to pick up and needs supervision while trying 0: Unable to try/needs assist to keep from losing balance or falling |
| 10. Turning to look behind over left and right shoulders while standing | 10. Turning to look behind over left and right shoulders while standing: 4: Looks behind from both sides and weight shifts well 3: Looks behind one side only other side shows less weight shift 2: Turns sideways only but maintains balance 1: Needs supervision when turning 0: Needs assist to keep from losing balance or falling |
| 11. Turn 360 degrees | 11. Turn 360 degrees: 4: Able to turn 360 degrees safely in 4 seconds or less 3: Able to turn 360 degrees safely one side only 4 seconds or less 2: Able to turn 360 degrees safely but slowly 1: Needs close supervision or verbal cuing 0: Needs assistance while turning |
| 12. Place alternate foot on step or stool while standing unsupported | 12. Place alternate foot on step or stool while standing unsupported: 4: Able to stand independently and safely and complete 8 steps in 20 seconds 3: Able to stand independently and complete 8 steps in > 20 seconds 2: Able to complete 4 steps without aid with supervision 1: Able to complete > 2 steps needs minimal assist 0: Needs assistance to keep from falling/unable to try |
| 13. Standing unsupported one foot in front | 13. Standing unsupported one foot in front: 4: Able to place foot tandem independently and hold 30 seconds 3: Able to place foot ahead independently and hold 30 seconds 2: Able to take small step independently and hold 30 seconds 1: Needs help to step but can hold 15 seconds 0: Loses balance while stepping or standing |
| 14. Standing on one leg | 14. Standing on one leg: 4: Able to lift leg independently and hold > 10 seconds 3: Able to lift leg independently and hold 5-10 seconds 2: Able to lift leg independently and hold ≥ 3 seconds 1: Tries to lift leg unable to hold 3 seconds but remains standing independently 0: Unable to try or needs assist to prevent fall |
| Total score | Total score: The sum of the 14 item scores, from 0 to 56, where higher scores indicate better balance. min: >=0; max: <=56 |
| events | |
| Any event | Any event: Default, unspecified point in time or interval event which may be explicitly defined in a template or at run-time. |
| protocol | |
| Extension | Extension: Additional information required to capture local content or to align with other reference models/formalisms. Include: All not explicitly excluded archetypes |
| Other contributors | Vebjørn Arntzen, Oslo University Hospital, Norway (openEHR Editor) Silje Ljosland Bakke, Helse Vest IKT AS, Norway (openEHR Editor) SB Bhattacharyya, Bhattacharyyas Clinical Records Research & Informatics LLP, India Hanne Marte Bårholm, Helse Vest IKT, Norway (openEHR Editor) Grete Hovde Bøe, Sykehuspartner HF, Norway (openEHR Editor) Aleksander Furnes, Helse Nord IKT, Norway (openEHR Editor) Ciprian Gerstenberger, Helse Nord IKT, Norway (openEHR Editor) Marte Vassli Gullesen, Helse Nord IKT, Norway (openEHR Editor) Martin Koch, Servei Català de la Salut, Spain Elin Kristiansen, Sykehuspartner HF, Norway (openEHR Editor) Kanika Kuwelker, Helse Vest IKT, Norway (openEHR Editor) Eli Larsen, UNN, Norway (openEHR Editor) Liv Laugen, Oslo University Hospital, Norway, Norway (openEHR Editor) Heather Leslie, Atomica Informatics, Australia (openEHR Editor) Ian McNicoll, freshEHR Clinical Informatics, United Kingdom Martin Milde, Helse Vest IKT, Norway (openEHR Editor) Mikael Nyström, Cambio Healthcare Systems AB, Sweden Marianne Opsahl Bredesen, Helse Nord IKT HF, Norway Vuk Radnić, Better, Slovenia Anneli Rønstad, Helse Fonna, Norway Terje Sagmyr, Helse Vest IKT, Norway (openEHR Editor) Anders Thurin, VGR, Sweden John Tore Valand, Helse Vest IKT, Norway (openEHR Editor) Karsten Øvretveit, Helse Vest IKT, Norway (openEHR Editor) |
| Translators |