Pediatric Balance Scale – PBS

Brief Overview

The Pediatric Balance Scale is a tool to assess a child’s balance function in the context of daily tasks.

PBS is a tool with proven reliability and validity designed to assess a child’s balance function in the context of daily tasks, including the ability to move around in the environment.

Who Is Assessed, and How?

PBS scale is a modification of the Berg Balance Scale and is designed for children aged 5 to 15 years with mild to moderate balance impairments.

The test takes 15-20 minutes to complete.

The scale includes tasks of varying complexity that require maintaining a stable position and/or involve balancing activities performed with or without visual input.

The scale consists of 14 tasks. Each of them is evaluated from 0 (the lowest function) to 4 (the highest function) points, where 4 means that the child can fully complete the task. The maximum score for all tasks is 56.

List of activities:

1. Sitting to standing
2. Standing to sitting
3. Transfers
4. Standing unsupported
5. Sitting unsupported
6. Standing with eyes closed
7. Standing with feet together
8. Standing with one foot in front
9. Standing on one foot
10. Turning 360 degrees
11. Turning to look behind
12. Picking up an object from the floor
13. Placing the alternate foot on the stool
14. Reaching forward with an outstretched arm

The full English version of the scale with explanations can be viewed and downloaded here.  

About the author

Taras Voloshyn

Neurologist at the Kozyavkin International Rehabilitation Clinic since 2009. Conference participant, author of publications, specialized in the assessment and rehabilitation of patients with cerebral palsy.