The Berg Balance Scale has high intra- and inter-rater reliability but absolute reliability varies across the scale: a systematic review

Downs, Stephen M.; Marquez, Jodie; Chiarelli, Pauline

doi:10.1016/s1836-9553(13)70161-9

Cited by 209 publications

(135 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The BBS is recommended for use in both research and clinical practice in MS [36] and is considered reliable [37] and valid [38]. In samples of individuals with MS similar to this study, a minimal detectable change (MDC) of 2–4 points has been suggested [39–41]. To our knowledge, minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is not known for ambulatory people with MS.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Effects on Balance and Walking with the CoDuSe Balance Exercise Program in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Forsberg

Koch

Nilsagård

2016

Multiple Sclerosis International

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Background. Balance and walking impairments are frequent in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective. The aim was to investigate the effects of a group-based balance exercise program targeting core stability, dual tasking, and sensory strategies (CoDuSe) on balance, postural sway, walking, perceived walking limitations, and balance confidence. Design. A single-blinded randomized multicenter trial. No intervention was given to controls. Participants. People with MS able to walk 100 meters but unable to maintain tandem stance ≥30 seconds. Eighty-seven participants were randomized to intervention or control. Intervention. The 60-minute CoDuSe group program, twice weekly for seven weeks, supervised by physical therapists. Measurements. Primary outcome was dynamic balance (Berg Balance Scale (BBS)). Secondary outcomes were postural sway, walking (Timed-Up and Go test; Functional Gait Assessment (FGA)), MS Walking Scale, and Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. Assessments were performed before and after (week 8) the intervention. Results. 73 participants fulfilled the study. There were significant differences between the intervention and the control groups in change in the BBS and in the secondary measures: postural sway with eyes open, FGA, MS Walking Scale, and ABC scale in favor of the intervention. Conclusions. The seven-week CoDuSe program improved dynamic balance more than no intervention.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Effects on Balance and Walking with the CoDuSe Balance Exercise Program in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Forsberg

Koch

Nilsagård

2016

Multiple Sclerosis International

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“…It could be argued that the change scores demonstrated in the yoga participants may constitute clinically valuable change. A recent systematic review (Downes et al, 2013) suggests that if an individual experiences a change of between 3 and 7 points one can be 95% confident that there has been a real change in balance. Given the improvement in average score of 3.2 points following 14 weeks of yoga, this positive finding warrants further investigation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of tai chi and yoga on balance and falls in a residential care setting: A randomised controlled trial

et al. 2014

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Falls amongst older people is a global public health concern. Whilst falling is not a typical feature of ageing, older people are more likely to fall. Fall injuries amongst older people are a leading cause of death and disability. Many older people do not do regular exercise so that they lose muscle tone, strength, and flexibility which affect balance and predispose them to falls. The management of falls in residential care settings is a major concern with strategies for prevention and monitoring a focus in this setting. Yoga and tai chi have shown potential to improve balance and prevent falls in older adults. They also have potential to improve pain and quality of life.The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of conducting a 3-arm RCT with frail older people in a residential care setting to test the hypothesis that a 14 week modified tai chi or yoga program is more effective than usual care activity in improving balance function, quality of life, pain experience and in reducing number of falls.There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups in the occurrence of falls. Yoga demonstrated a slight decrease in fall incidence; quality of life improved for the tai chi group. Only the yoga group experienced a reduction in average pain scores though not statistically significant.The findings of the study suggest it is possible to safely implement modified yoga and tai chi in a residential care setting and evaluate this using RCT design. They show positive changes to balance, pain and quality of life and a high level of interest through attendance amongst the older participants. The results support offering tai chi and yoga to older people who are frail and dependent with physical and cognitive limitations. THE INFLUENCE OF TAI CHI AND YOGA ON BALANCE AND FALLS. 2The influence of tai chi and yoga on balance and falls in a residential care setting: a randomised controlled trial.

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“…This occurs in groups that present a low level of variability, making the scale ineffective to discriminate individuals with balance impairments (17). Moreover, Kornetti et al (18) pointed out that some items of the scale are underused, and many of them do not distinguish people with different skills.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of falls among elderly participants of a health promotion group and comparison of balance tests to detect risk of falls

Carvalho

Clementino²,

Magalhães³

et al. 2017

Fisioter. mov.

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Introduction: Falls of elderly people are common, representing a serious public health problem. The use of appropriate instruments in the assessment of elderly patients supports the early detection of individuals under risk of falls and its prevention. Objective: To verify the incidence of falls in a group of elderly patients and detect which balance test is the most appropriate for the studied sample. Methods: Quantitative, cross-sectional study with an observational approach. A total of 30 elderly patients aged over 60 years old participating in a health promotion group were included in the sample. The participants were initially interviewed and subsequently assessed by means of the following instruments: Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). Results: The mean age of the participants was 69.30 ± 7.47 years; 90% were women and 46.7% of the individuals reported falls. The participants obtained a mean value of 10.2 ± 2.5 seconds in the TUG, 51.4 ± 2.6 in the BBS, and 18.6 ± 4.2 in the DGI. The sensitivity of the scales was 0.71 in the TUG, 0.50 in the DGI, and 0.42 in the BBS; specificity was 0.44 in the TUG, 0.32 in the DGI and 0.63 in the BBS. Conclusion: A high prevalence of falls was observed in the sample. In addition, the TUG was the most sensitive test to assess balance in the assessed sample. However, its use alone requires caution in this sample.

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The Berg Balance Scale has high intra- and inter-rater reliability but absolute reliability varies across the scale: a systematic review

Cited by 209 publications

References 17 publications

Effects on Balance and Walking with the CoDuSe Balance Exercise Program in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects on Balance and Walking with the CoDuSe Balance Exercise Program in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

The influence of tai chi and yoga on balance and falls in a residential care setting: A randomised controlled trial

Prevalence of falls among elderly participants of a health promotion group and comparison of balance tests to detect risk of falls

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