{
  "id": "berg-balance",
  "version": "41be24af4b04",
  "status": "published",
  "name": "Berg Balance Calculator",
  "question": "What is the Berg balance score?",
  "summary": "Adds up the 14 tasks of the Berg Balance Scale (Berg 1989), each scored 0 to 4, to a score out of 56, and shows whether it is under the cutoff of 45 linked to a greater risk of falls.",
  "category": "health",
  "subcategory": "clinical",
  "url": "https://www.acalculator.org/health/berg-balance-calculator",
  "markdown": "https://www.acalculator.org/health/berg-balance-calculator.md",
  "kind": "function",
  "method": "Berg score = the sum of 14 tasks, each scored 0 to 4 (total 0 to 56). Under 45: the cutoff Berg 1992 linked to more falls.",
  "assumptions": [
    "Developed and tested in older adults (Berg 1989, 1992); later studies used it after stroke and in other groups.",
    "Score each task at the lowest level that applies, as the scale directs."
  ],
  "inputs": {
    "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
      "t1": {
        "title": "1. Sitting to standing",
        "description": "1. Sitting to standing: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t2": {
        "title": "2. Standing unsupported",
        "description": "2. Standing unsupported: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t3": {
        "title": "3. Sitting unsupported",
        "description": "3. Sitting unsupported: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t4": {
        "title": "4. Standing to sitting",
        "description": "4. Standing to sitting: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t5": {
        "title": "5. Transfers",
        "description": "5. Transfers: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t6": {
        "title": "6. Standing with eyes closed",
        "description": "6. Standing with eyes closed: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t7": {
        "title": "7. Standing with feet together",
        "description": "7. Standing with feet together: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t8": {
        "title": "8. Reaching forward",
        "description": "8. Reaching forward: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t9": {
        "title": "9. Picking up an object from the floor",
        "description": "9. Picking up an object from the floor: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t10": {
        "title": "10. Turning to look behind",
        "description": "10. Turning to look behind: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t11": {
        "title": "11. Turning 360 degrees",
        "description": "11. Turning 360 degrees: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t12": {
        "title": "12. Placing alternate foot on a stool",
        "description": "12. Placing alternate foot on a stool: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t13": {
        "title": "13. Standing with one foot in front",
        "description": "13. Standing with one foot in front: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      },
      "t14": {
        "title": "14. Standing on one leg",
        "description": "14. Standing on one leg: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0.",
        "type": "string",
        "enum": [
          "4",
          "3",
          "2",
          "1",
          "0"
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "outputs": {
    "score": {
      "label": "Berg balance score",
      "description": "The total of the 14 tasks, 0 to 56.",
      "format": "integer"
    },
    "cutoff": {
      "label": "Against the cutoff of 45",
      "description": "Berg 1992 found a greater risk of falls below 45.",
      "format": "text"
    }
  },
  "defaultAnswer": {
    "inputs": {
      "t1": "4",
      "t2": "4",
      "t3": "4",
      "t4": "4",
      "t5": "4",
      "t6": "4",
      "t7": "4",
      "t8": "4",
      "t9": "4",
      "t10": "4",
      "t11": "4",
      "t12": "4",
      "t13": "4",
      "t14": "4"
    },
    "outputs": {
      "score": 56,
      "cutoff": "45 or more"
    },
    "text": "The Berg balance score is 56 out of 56 (45 or more)."
  },
  "examples": [
    {
      "given": {
        "t1": "4",
        "t2": "4",
        "t3": "4",
        "t4": "4",
        "t5": "4",
        "t6": "4",
        "t7": "4",
        "t8": "4",
        "t9": "4",
        "t10": "4",
        "t11": "4",
        "t12": "4",
        "t13": "4",
        "t14": "4"
      },
      "expect": {
        "score": 56,
        "cutoff": "45 or more"
      },
      "source": "Berg 1989 scale: 14 × 4 = 56 (hand calculation in content.mdx)"
    },
    {
      "given": {
        "t1": "4",
        "t2": "4",
        "t3": "4",
        "t4": "3",
        "t5": "3",
        "t6": "3",
        "t7": "3",
        "t8": "3",
        "t9": "3",
        "t10": "3",
        "t11": "3",
        "t12": "3",
        "t13": "3",
        "t14": "3"
      },
      "expect": {
        "score": 45,
        "cutoff": "45 or more"
      },
      "source": "Berg 1992 cutoff: 3 × 4 + 11 × 3 = 45, at the cutoff (hand calculation in content.mdx)"
    },
    {
      "given": {
        "t1": "4",
        "t2": "4",
        "t3": "3",
        "t4": "3",
        "t5": "3",
        "t6": "3",
        "t7": "3",
        "t8": "3",
        "t9": "3",
        "t10": "3",
        "t11": "3",
        "t12": "3",
        "t13": "3",
        "t14": "3"
      },
      "expect": {
        "score": 44,
        "cutoff": "Under 45"
      },
      "source": "Berg 1992 cutoff: 2 × 4 + 12 × 3 = 44, under 45 (hand calculation in content.mdx)"
    },
    {
      "given": {
        "t1": "2",
        "t2": "2",
        "t3": "2",
        "t4": "2",
        "t5": "2",
        "t6": "2",
        "t7": "2",
        "t8": "1",
        "t9": "1",
        "t10": "1",
        "t11": "1",
        "t12": "1",
        "t13": "1",
        "t14": "1"
      },
      "expect": {
        "score": 21,
        "cutoff": "Under 45"
      },
      "source": "Berg 1989 scale: 7 × 2 + 7 × 1 = 21 (hand calculation in content.mdx)"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    "Berg K, Wood-Dauphinee S, Williams JI, Gayton D. Measuring balance in the elderly: preliminary development of an instrument. Physiotherapy Canada. 1989;41(6):304-311. https://doi.org/10.3138/ptc.41.6.304 (retrieved 2026-10-05)",
    "Berg KO, Wood-Dauphinee SL, Williams JI, Maki B. Measuring balance in the elderly: validation of an instrument. Can J Public Health. 1992;83 Suppl 2:S7-S11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1468055/ (retrieved 2026-10-05)",
    "Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Rehabilitation Measures Database: Berg Balance Scale (items, the cutoff of 45, public domain). https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/berg-balance-scale (retrieved 2026-10-05)",
    "NINDS Common Data Elements: Berg Balance Scale items and their 0 to 4 levels (citing Berg 1989), NIH CDE Repository. https://cde.nlm.nih.gov/deView?tinyId=WoGHRMKDkeE (retrieved 2026-10-05)",
    "Stevenson TJ, Connelly DM, Murray JM, Huggett D, Overend T. Threshold Berg balance scale scores for gait-aid use in elderly subjects: a secondary analysis. Physiother Can. 2010;62(2):133-140 (states the 45 of the 1992 validation). https://doi.org/10.3138/physio.62.2.133 (open at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2871022/, retrieved 2026-10-05)"
  ],
  "related": [],
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "note": "Published after this site's editorial review against the cited sources (no clinician review); the page notices say so."
    }
  ]
}