Comparison of the Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale to predict falls in community-dwelling adults

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the predictive properties of Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scales, in a group of independently-functioning community dwelling older adults. [Subjects and Methods] Ninety-seven community-dwelling older adults (male=39, female=58) who were capable of walking independently on assessment were included in this study. A binary logistic regression analysis of the Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale scores was used to investigate a predictive model for fall risk. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was conducted for each, to determine the cut-off for optimal levels of sensitivity and specificity. [Results] The overall prediction success rate was 89.7%; the total Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale scores were significant in predicting fall risk. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined that a cut-off score of 40 out of 56 on the Berg Balance Scale produced the highest sensitivity (0.82) and specificity (0.67), and a cut-off score of 22 out of 40 on the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale produced the highest sensitivity (0.85) and specificity (0.65) in predicting faller status. [Conclusion] The Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scales can predict fall risk, when used for independently-functioning community-dwelling older adults.

Falls, Cognitive Function, and Balance Profiles of Singapore Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals: Key Risk Factors

“…The findings showed that both cognitive functions and balance abilities significantly declined as people aged. In line with the outcomes of other studies, the current finding also indicates that community-dwelling elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment 9 , 13 , 33 , 34 and balance impairment 20 , 31 , 34 were most at risk of falling. From the aging perspective, deteriorating speed of cognitive function, a decline in attention and executive function (eg, slow response inhibitions and judgment errors), and declines in sensory systems, due to the aging of the frontal cortex, could be the biggest factors for an increased risk of falling.…”

“…On the other hand, the BBS tool produced the highest sensitivity in predicting falls in independent functioning, community-dwelling elderly individuals. 30 , 31 However, Muir et al 16 found that the BBS tool, with the cutoff value at 45, failed to identify people at a high risk of falling (multiple falls). They suggested that the use of a scale cutoff point of 45, suggested by Berg et al, 15 was inadequate to predict future falls.…”

“…Our study adopted a cutoff point of 40 and it seemed to have a predictive value for risk of falls. 30 , 31 Thus, it is suggested that the BBS test tool, with a cutoff point of 40, could be adopted by health practitioners as part of an initial simple screening assessment procedure for the community-dwelling elderly population in Singapore. Further analysis of correlations between MMSE and BBS test scores indicated a moderate relationship in young-old and medium-old groups.…”

“…15 , 28 , 29 The sensitivity and specificity of the BBS test were high in predicting the risk of falls in elderly persons. 20 , 30 , 31 Lastly, the BBS was administered, a scale consisting of 14 subtests, with each subtest scores ranging from 0 to 4, performed in a standard order ( Table 1 ) to measure functional abilities and balance. The maximum score for this assessment is 56.…”

Effectiveness of backward walking for people affected by stroke

“…BBS can reflect the degree of walking improvement for patients with stroke, [ 48 ] and predict the risk of falls. [ 49 ] All in all, it is suggested that BW can be used as an effective method to improve some gait indices, balance and walking ability of stroke patients.…”