Relevance and Research Implications of Unified Balance Scale in Physiotherapy Beyond Neurological Rehabilitation

Abstract

The Unified Balance Scale (UBS) is a clinically validated, activity-based tool developed initially for assessing balance in neurological rehabilitation settings. Despite its established efficacy in patient populations, its broader application in physiotherapy research, particularly among healthy individuals, has received limited attention. This review critically examines the UBS's structure, clinical utility, and psychometric strengths compared to widely used tools such as the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), and force plate analysis. While these traditional instruments offer valuable insights into static and dynamic balance, they often lack the comprehensive, functionally oriented assessment provided by the UBS. The UBS evaluates real-life balance tasks, making it especially relevant for clinical, community-based, and preventive physiotherapy settings. Furthermore, it offers a cost-effective, standardized, and easily administered option for researchers seeking to assess postural stability across diverse populations. The review also discusses the potential of UBS to contribute meaningfully to evidence-based physiotherapy practice and outlines future directions for its application in clinical and research contexts. This synthesis affirms the value of the UBS as a flexible and robust instrument that can enhance physiotherapy research beyond its traditional rehabilitation scope.