Brazilian version of the Berg balance scale

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to translate and adapt the Berg balance scale, an instrument for functional balance assessment, to Brazilian-Portuguese and to determine the reliability of scores obtained with the Brazilian adaptation. Two persons proficient in English independently translated the original scale into Brazilian-Portuguese and a consensus version was generated. Two translators performed a back translation. Discrepancies were discussed and solved by a panel. Forty patients older than 65 years and 40 therapists were included in the cultural adaptation phase. If more than 15% of therapists or patients reported difficulty in understanding an item, that item was reformulated and reapplied. The final Brazilian version was then tested on 36 elderly patients (over age 65). The average age was 72 years. Reliability of the measure was assessed twice by one physical therapist (1-week interval between assessments) and once by one independent physical therapist. Descriptive analysis was used to characterize the patients. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient were computed to assess intra-and interobserver reliability. Six questions were modified during the translation stage and cultural adaptation phase. The ICC for intra-and interobserver reliability was 0.99 (P < 0.001) and 0.98 (P < 0.001), respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient for intra-and interobserver reliability was 0.98 (P < 0.001) and 0.97 (P < 0.001), respectively. We conclude that the Brazilian version of the Berg balance scale is a reliable instrument to be used in balance assessment of elderly Brazilian patients.

Equilíbrio, quedas e funcionalidade em idosos com alteração da função cognitiva

“…14 Balance was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). 15 Functional mobility/the risk of falls were assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. 16 Functionality was determined using the Barthel index 17 and the severity of dementia was confirmed by the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR).…”

Efetividade do treinamento de resistência à fadiga dos músculos dos membros inferiores dentro e fora d'água no equilíbrio estático e dinâmico de idosos

“…• Berg Balance Scale: This is an instrument for functional assessment of balance that has been validated and adapted transculturally for application in Brazil [21][22][23] . The test is made up of 14 tasks and each them is categorized on a five-point ordinal scale ranging from 0 (unable to perform the task) to 4 (able to carry out the task independently), based on the quality of the performance, need for assistance and time taken to complete the task.…”

Agreement Between Instruments for Assessment of Body Balance in Active Elderly Individuals

“…Contrariando os achados de Podsiadlo e Richardson 19 e Miyamoto et al 18 os níveis de correlação encontrados entre o TUG-EEB foram fracos e não significativos. O mesmo se deu entre os testes TUG-TEC e TEC-EEB.…”

“…A EEB foi traduzida para o português e adaptada transculturalmente por Miyamoto 18 , possui alta confiabilidade intra e interobservadores (ICC 0,99 e 0,98). Seus itens abordam 14 situações/domínios relacionados com atividades de vida diária (AVD), como: ficar de pé, levantar-se, andar, inclinar-se à frente, transferir-se e virar-se, segundo graus de dificuldade.…”

“…Sendo assim, a avaliação do déficit do equilíbrio necessita de instrumentos abrangentes e confiáveis 17 . Dentre os testes mais empregados na avaliação gerontológica hà a Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB) 18 , o Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) 8 , traduzido por Índice de Marcha Dinâmica e o teste "Timed Up and Go" (TUG) 19 , o qual apresenta duas outras versões, o TUG motor (TUGm) e o TUG cognitivo (TUGc). Outro instrumento também utilizado, contudo ainda desconhecido no Brasil é o GGT (Gleichgewichtstest).…”