Berg Balance Scale (BBS)Loading...Sitting to standingNeeds moderate or maximal assist to stand0Needs minimal aid to stand or to stabilize+1Able to stand using hands after several tries+2Able to stand independently using hands+3Able to stand without using hands, stabilizes independently+4Standing unsupportedUnable to stand 30 secs unsupported0Needs several tries to stand 30 seconds unsupported+1Able to stand 30 seconds unsupported+2Able to stand 2 minutes with supervision+3Able to stand safely for 2 minutes+4Sitting with back unsupportedUnable to sit without support for 10 seconds0Able to sit 10 seconds+1Able to sit 30 seconds+2Able to sit 2 minutes under supervision+3Able to sit safely and securely for 2 minutes+4Standing to sittingNeeds assistance to sit0Sits independently but has uncontrolled descent+1Uses back of legs against chair to control descent+2Controls descent by using hands+3Sits safely with minimal use of hands+4TransfersNeeds two person assistance or supervision for safety0Needs one person assist+1Able to transfer with verbal cueing and/or supervision+2Able to transfer safely with definite need of hands+3Able to transfer safely with minor use of hands+4Standing unsupported w/ eyes closedNeeds help to keep from falling0Unable to keep eyes closed 3 seconds but stays safely+1Able to stand 3 seconds+2Able to stand 10 seconds with supervision+3Able to stand 10 seconds safely+4Standing unsupported with feet togetherNeeds help to attain position and unable to hold 15 seconds0Needs help to attain position but able to stand 15 seconds feet together+1Able to place feet together independently but unable to hold for 30 seconds+2Able to place feet together independently and stand 1 minute with supervision+3Able to place feet together independently and stand 1 minute safely+4Reaching forward with outstretched arm while standingLoses balance while trying/requires external support0Reaches forward but needs supervision+1Can reach forward 5 cm (2 inches) safely+2Can reach forward 12 cm (5 inches) safely+3Can reach forward confidently 25 cm (10 inches)+4Pick up object from the floor from a standing positionUnable to try/needs assist to keep from losing balance or falling0Unable to pick up and needs supervision while trying+1Unable to pick up but reaches 2-5 cm (1-2 inches) from slipper and keeps balance independently+2Able to pick up slipper but needs supervision+3Able to pick up slipper safely and easily+4Turning to look behind over left and right shouldersNeeds assist to keep from losing balance or falling0Needs supervision when turning+1Turns sideways only but maintains balance+2Looks behind one side only, other side shows less weight shift+3Looks behind from both sides and weight shifts well+4Turn 360 degreesNeeds assistance while turning0Needs close supervision or verbal cueing+1Able to turn 360 degrees safely but slowly+2Able to turn 360 degrees safely on one side only in 4 seconds or less+3Able to turn 360 degrees safely in 4 seconds or less+4Placing alternate foot on step or stool while standing unsupportedNeeds assistance to keep from falling/unable to try0Able to complete > 2 steps, needs minimal assist+1Able to complete 4 steps without aid, with supervision+2Able to stand independently, and complete 8 steps in > 20 seconds+3Able to stand independently and safely, and complete 8 steps in 20 seconds+4Standing unsupported one foot in frontLoses balance while stepping or standing0Needs help to step but can hold 15 seconds+1Able to take small step independently and hold 30 seconds+2Able to place foot ahead of other independently and hold 30 seconds+3Able to place foot tandem independently and hold 30 seconds+4Standing on one legUnable to try or needs assist to prevent fall0Tries to lift leg, unable to hold 3 seconds but remains standing independently+1Able to lift leg independently and hold ≥ 3 seconds+2Able to lift leg independently and hold 5-10 seconds+3Able to lift leg independently and hold > 10 seconds+4Indications for UseInsights & Cautions