CB&M Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I interpret my patient’s CB&M score?
The most frequently asked question that we receive about the CB&M is regarding the meaning or interpretation of the patient's score. The CB&M is designed to evaluate balance in higher functioning people and therefore most of the items are more challenging than the tasks in other clinical balance scales in order to discriminate amongst individuals at higher levels of ability. Therefore unlike other clinical measures, the purpose of the CB&M is not to indicate the need or type of walking aid, fall risk or discharge placement. Instead, the CB&M items reflect the balance and mobility skills necessary for full participation in the community and an association between CB&M scores and community integrations has been determined (as described below). The CB&M scores can also be referenced to age-related values to identify balance control issues in a higher functioning patient which may otherwise go undetected. Additionally, unpublished work has established both the standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change score which aids the therapist in determining whether actual change beyond measurement error has occurred between assessment. Additional details for this answer are located in a PDF document.