Community Balance and Mobility Scale
The Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M) is used to assess the balance and mobility of individuals with acquired brain injury, stroke, or Cerebral Palsy.
This test reflects the balance required for full participation in the community.
When to use the CB&M Scale
Knowing when to use a tool due to time and space constraints can be difficult. At Creative Physiotherapy we use the following steps to decide if the CB&M scale is right for our patients …
1) Screen with Tinetti to help identify static and dynamic balance issues.
2) If an impairment is identified with Tinetti, use Berg to further quantify and guide decisions around fall risks.
3) Assess using the CB&M scale if any of the below apply.
- Berg ceiling is reached
- No suspected impairment with Tinetti
- Planning community integration
Compare patients’ scores against the expected score of non-injured individuals in their age range.
The Community Balance and Mobility Scale
The CB&M scale is completed on an 8 metre track and full flight of stairs. Give verbal instructions and physical demonstrations of the tasks.
Patients should wear comfortable clothing and footwear. All tasks should be completed without aides, with the exception of task 12.
There are a total of 13 tasks, 6 of which have 2 sections.
Scores are quantified on a scale of 0 to 5. If the task was not completed independently, a score of 0 is given. If the task was completed to the highest standard, a score of 5 is given.
All scores are combined to give a final score out of 96. This score is then compared against the expected score of an uninjured person in their age range.
Other equipment needed:
- Stopwatch
- Box or laundry basket of approximately 20 inch2
- 2lb and 7lb weights
- Visual target (20cm paper circle with 5cm inner circle)
- Bean bag
Tasks and Scoring
For instructions on the 13 tasks click here.
Below are the average CB&M scores for uninjured individuals.
| Age Range | Average Score |
|---|---|
|
20 - 29 |
88 |
|
30 - 39 |
86 |
|
40 - 49 |
84 |
|
50 - 59 |
77 |
|
60 - 69 |
65 |
|
70 - 79 |
50 |
References:
- J A Howe, E L Inness, A Venturini, J I Williams, M C Verrier. The CB&M Scale: A Balance Measure for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury.
- Elizabeth L Inness, Jo-Anne Howe, Ewa Niechwiej-Szwedo, Susan B Jaglal, William E McIlroy, Molly C Verrier. Measuring Balance and Mobility after Traumatic Brain Injury: Validation of the CB&M Scale.
- Heather Clegg, Sharon Fernande, Dana Parsley, Tyler Welch, Kathryn Zbarsky. CB&M Scale: Age-Related Reference Values.
- Physiopedia. Community Balance and Mobility Scale.
- Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. Community Balance and Mobility Scale.
Author: Sophie Faulkner
Sophie is a 20-something-year-old girl living in the UK. She is a content writer and web designer with an interest in health and wellbeing.
Co-Author: Bilal Sheikh
Bilal is a co-owner and director of Creative Physiotherapy ltd. Bilal is a Chartered Physiotherapist with advanced skills in neurological rehabilitation and musculoskeletal injuries. He is interested in using technology to enhance rehabilitation.
Great piece Sophie 👍