The Berg Balance Scale as a clinical screening tool to predict fall risk in older adults: a systematic review

Physiotherapy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. Lima ◽  
N.A. Ricci ◽  
E.C. Nogueira ◽  
M.R. Perracini
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Clinical Screening ◽  
Balance Scale

scholarly journals Use of the Berg Balance Scale for Predicting Multiple Falls in Community-Dwelling Elderly People: A Prospective Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan W Muir ◽  
Katherine Berg ◽  
Bert Chesworth ◽  
Mark Speechley
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Discriminative Ability ◽  
Balance Scale

Background and Purpose Falls are a significant public health concern for older adults; early identification of people at high risk for falling facilitates the provision of rehabilitation treatment to reduce future fall risk. The objective of this prospective cohort study was to examine the predictive validity of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for 3 types of outcomes—any fall (≥1 fall), multiple falls (≥2 falls), and injurious falls—by use of sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve, and likelihood ratios. Subjects and Methods A sample of 210 community-dwelling older adults received a comprehensive geriatric assessment at baseline, which included the BBS to measure balance. Data on prospective falls were collected monthly for a year. The predictive validity of the BBS for the identification of future fall risk was evaluated. Results The BBS had good discriminative ability to predict multiple falls when ROC analysis was used. However, the use of the BBS as a dichotomous scale, with a threshold of ≤45, was inadequate for the identification of the majority of people at risk for falling in the future, with sensitivities of 25% and 45% for any fall and for multiple falls, respectively. The use of likelihood ratios, maintaining the BBS as a multilevel scale, demonstrated a gradient of risk across scores, with fall risk increasing as scores decreased. Discussion and Conclusion The use of the BBS as a dichotomous scale to identify people at high risk for falling should be discouraged because it fails to identify the majority of such people. The predictive validity of this scale for multiple falls is superior to that for other types of falls, and the use of likelihood ratios preserves the gradient of risk across the whole range of scores.

scholarly journals THE BERG BALANCE SCALE AS A SCREENING TEST TO PREDICT FALLS IN OLDER ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 433-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. Lima ◽  
M. Perracini ◽  
E. Nogueira ◽  
N. Ricci
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Screening Test ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Balance Scale ◽  
Falls In Older Adults

The Diagnostic Accuracy of the Berg Balance Scale in Predicting Falls

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1502-1525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong-Hi Park ◽  
Young-Shin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Neuromuscular Disease ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Balance Scale ◽  
Statistical Heterogeneity ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Fall Risks ◽  
Accuracy Curve

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive validity of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) as a screening tool for fall risks among those with varied levels of balance. A total of 21 studies reporting predictive validity of the BBS of fall risk were meta-analyzed. With regard to the overall predictive validity of the BBS, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.72 and 0.73, respectively; the accuracy curve area was 0.84. The findings showed statistical heterogeneity among studies. Among the sub-groups, the age group of those younger than 65 years, those with neuromuscular disease, those with 2+ falls, and those with a cutoff point of 45 to 49 showed better sensitivity with statistically less heterogeneity. The empirical evidence indicates that the BBS is a suitable tool to screen for the risk of falls and shows good predictability when used with the appropriate criteria and applied to those with neuromuscular disease.

Poster 6: Relationship Between Berg Balance Scale and Short Physical Performance Battery to Evaluate Fall Risk in Older Adults

PM&R ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. S144-S144
Author(s):  
Ana L. Villagrana Rodriguez ◽  
Tonatiuh Avila Garcia ◽  
Ana C. Gutierrez ◽  
Daniel Pacheco Covarrubias ◽  
José de Jesus Gonzalez Jaime
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Short Physical Performance Battery ◽  
Balance Scale

scholarly journals Toe Clearance Rehabilitative Slippers for Older Adults With Fall Risk: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215145932110291
Author(s):  
Atsuko Satoh ◽  
Yukoh Kudoh ◽  
Sangun Lee ◽  
Masumi Saitoh ◽  
Miwa Miura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mobility Assessment ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Day Services ◽  
And Control

Introduction: To evaluate fall-prevention rehabilitative slippers for use by self-caring, independent older adults. Materials and Methods: This assessor-blinded, randomized, and controlled 1-year study included 59 self-caring, independent participants (49 women) who attended day services. The mean age of participants was 84.0 ± 5.3 years. Participants were randomly selected from 8 nursing homes. We tested slippers top-weighted with a lead bead (200, 300, or 400 g). Intervention group participants walked while wearing the slippers for 10-20 min, 1-3 days/week at the day service center. Fall risk was measured using the Berg Balance Scale and the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) before and at 3-month intervals after the intervention/control phase. Results: After 12 months, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvement. Berg Balance and POMA compared to the control group ( p < .05 p < .01, respectively). Mobility scores improved significantly for both measurements in the intervention group before and after ( p < .01), but the control group had significantly lower scores. Discussion: Overall, falls decreased in the intervention group from 10 to 7, and control group falls increased from 9 to 16 ( p = .02). No adverse events related to the intervention were reported. Conclusions: Rehabilitation training slippers may reduce falls in older adults.

scholarly journals Lower-Limb Factors Associated with Balance and Falls in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Clinical Synthesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Neville ◽  
Hung Nguyen ◽  
Kim Ross ◽  
Mariana Wingood ◽  
Elizabeth Walker Peterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Direct Link ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Falls In Older Adults

Background Despite sufficient evidence to suggest that lower-limb–related factors may contribute to fall risk in older adults, lower-limb and footwear influences on fall risk have not been systematically summarized for readers and clinicians. The purpose of this study was to systematically review and synethesize the literature related to lower-limb, foot, and footwear factors that may increase the risk of falling among community-dwelling older adults. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and AgeLine. To describe the trajectory toward increasing risk of falls, we examined those articles that linked age-related changes in the lower limb or footwear to prospective falls or linked them to evidenced-based fall risk factors, such as gait and balance impairment. Results This systematic review consisted of 81 articles that met the review criteria, and the results reflect a narrative review of the appraised literature for eight pathways of lower-limb–related influences on fall risk in older adults. Six of the eight pathways support a direct link to fall risk. Two other pathways link to the intermediate factors but lack studies that provide evidence of a direct link. Conclusions This review provides strong guidance to advance understanding and assist with managing the link between lower-limb factors and falls in older adults. Due to the lack of literature in specific areas, some recommendations were based on observational studies and should be applied with caution until further research can be completed.

scholarly journals Use of Fall Risk–Increasing Drugs Around a Fall‐Related Injury in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1334-1343
Author(s):  
Laura A. Hart ◽  
Elizabeth A. Phelan ◽  
Julia Y. Yi ◽  
Zachary A. Marcum ◽  
Shelly L. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Risk

scholarly journals The functional assessment Berg Balance Scale is better capable of estimating fall risk in the elderly than the posturographic Balance Stability System

2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Vieira Pereira ◽  
Roberto Alcantara Maia ◽  
Sonia Maria Cesar de Azevedo Silva
Keyword(s):  
Functional Assessment ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Old People ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Functional Balance ◽  
Balance Scale ◽  
Recurrent Falls ◽  
Balance Stability

The purpose of this study was to verify which instrument better identifies recurrent falls in the elderly. Ninety-eight old people, with an average age of 80±4 years, were submitted to an assessment of balance and fall risk by means of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the posturographic Balance Stability System (BSS). The BBS was correlated with the BSS (r=-0.27; p=0.008), age (r=-0.38; p<0.001) and number of falls (r=-0.25; p=0.013) and the analysis of logistical regression showed that the elderly classified with fall risk on the BBS presented 2.5 (95%CI 1.08-5.78) more chance of identifying who had two falls or more over the last year. The BBS identified that the greater the age the worse the functional balance and demonstrated a greater capacity to identify falls risk suffered over the last year when compared with the BSS.

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