| ARCHETYPE ID | openEHR-EHR-OBSERVATION.berg_balance_scale.v0 |
|---|---|
| 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 | To record the results for each of the 14 component tasks and their total sum 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, openEHR Foundation |
| 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 |
| Lifecycle | in_development |
| UID | ccea9207-e7e3-4ea3-aacb-4ab2cffdc469 |
| Language used | en |
| Citeable Identifier | 1013.1.8319 |
| Revision Number | 0.0.1-alpha |
| protocol | |
| Extension | Extension: Additional information required to capture local content or to align with other reference models/formalisms. Include: All not explicitly excluded archetypes |
| data | |
| 1. Sitting to standing | 1. Sitting to standing: 0: Needs moderate or maximal assist to stand 1: Needs minimal aid to stand or stabilize 2: Able to stand using hands after several tries 3: Able to stand independently using hands 4: Able to stand without using hands and stabilize independently |
| 2. Standing unsupported | 2. Standing unsupported: 0: Unable to stand 30 seconds unsupported 1: Needs several tries to stand 30 seconds unsupported 2: Able to stand 30 seconds unsupported 3: Able to stand 2 minutes with supervision 4: Able to stand safely for 2 minutes |
| 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: 0: Unable to sit without support 10 seconds 1: Able to sit 10 seconds 2: Able to sit 30 seconds 3: Able to sit 2 minutes under supervision 4: Able to sit safely and securely for 2 minutes |
| 4. Standing to sitting | 4. Standing to sitting: 0: Needs assist to sit 1: Sits independently but has uncontrolled descent 2: Uses back of legs against chair to control descent 3: Controls descent by using hands 4: Sits safely with minimal use of hands |
| 5. Transfers | 5. Transfers: 0: Needs two people to assist or supervise to be safe 1: Needs one person to assist 2: Able to transfer with verbal cuing and/or supervision 3: Able to transfer safely definite need of hands 4: Able to transfer safely with minor use of hands |
| 6. Standing unsupported with eyes closed | 6. Standing unsupported with eyes closed: 0: Needs help to keep from falling 1: Unable to keep eyes closed 3 seconds but stays safely 2: Able to stand 3 seconds 3: Able to stand 10 seconds with supervision 4: Able to stand 10 seconds safely |
| 7. Standing unsupported with feet together | 7. Standing unsupported with feet together: 0: Needs help to attain position and unable to hold for 15 seconds 1: Needs help to attain position but able to stand 15 seconds feet together 2: Able to place feet together independently but unable to hold for 30 seconds 3: Able to place feet together independently and stand 1 minute with supervision 4: Able to place feet together independently and stand 1 minute safely |
| 8. Reaching forward with outstretched arm while standing | 8. Reaching forward with outstretched arm while standing: 0: Loses balance while trying/requires external support 1: Reaches forward but needs supervision 2: Can reach forward 5 cm (2 inches) 3: Can reach forward 12 cm (5 inches) 4: Can reach forward confidently 25 cm (10 inches) |
| 9. Pick up object from the floor from a standing position | 9. Pick up object from the floor from a standing position: 0: Unable to try/needs assist to keep from losing balance or falling 1: Unable to pick up and needs supervision while trying 2: Unable to pick up but reaches 2-5 cm (1-2 inches) from slipper and keeps balance independently 3: Able to pick up slipper but needs supervision 4: Able to pick up slipper safely and easily |
| 10. Turning to look behind over left and right shoulders while standing | 10. Turning to look behind over left and right shoulders while standing: 0: Needs assist to keep from losing balance or falling 1: Needs supervision when turning 2: Turns sideways only but maintains balance 3: Looks behind one side only other side shows less weight shift 4: Looks behind from both sides and weight shifts well |
| 11. Turn 360 degrees | 11. Turn 360 degrees: 0: Needs assistance while turning 1: Needs close supervision or verbal cuing 2: Able to turn 360 degrees safely but slowly 3: Able to turn 360 degrees safely one side only 4 seconds or less 4: Able to turn 360 degrees safely in 4 seconds or less |
| 12. Place alternate foot on step or stool while standing unsupported | 12. Place alternate foot on step or stool while standing unsupported: 0: Needs assistance to keep from falling/unable to try 1: Able to complete > 2 steps needs minimal assist 2: Able to complete 4 steps without aid with supervision 3: Able to stand independently and complete 8 steps in > 20 seconds 4: Able to stand independently and safely and complete 8 steps in 20 seconds |
| 13. Standing unsupported one foot in front | 13. Standing unsupported one foot in front: 0: Loses balance while stepping or standing 1: Needs help to step but can hold 15 seconds 2: Able to take small step independently and hold 30 seconds 3: Able to place foot ahead independently and hold 30 seconds 4: Able to place foot tandem independently and hold 30 seconds |
| 14. Standing on one leg | 14. Standing on one leg: 0: Unable to try or needs assist to prevent fall 1: Tries to lift leg unable to hold 3 seconds but remains standing independently 2: Able to lift leg independently and hold ≥ 3 seconds 3: Able to lift leg independently and hold 5-10 seconds 4: Able to lift leg independently and hold > 10 seconds |
| 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. |
| Other contributors | |
| Translators |