Validation of Fear of Falling and Balance Confidence Assessment Scales in Persons with Dystonia

Boyce, MJ; Lam, L; Chang, F; Mahant, N; Fung, VSC; Bradnam, L

Validation of Fear of Falling and Balance Confidence Assessment Scales in Persons with Dystonia

Boyce, MJ Lam, L

Chang, F Mahant, N Fung, VSC Bradnam, L

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 2017, 41 (4), pp. 239 - 244
Issue Date:: 2017-10-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Boyce, MJ	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lam, L https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6183-6854	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Chang, F	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Mahant, N	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fung, VSC	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Bradnam, L https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3067-0326	en_US
dc.date.issued	2017-10-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 2017, 41 (4), pp. 239 - 244	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1557-0576	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/124619
dc.description.abstract	© 2017 Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, APTA. Background and Purpose: Falls are problematic for people living with neurological disorders and a fear of falling can impact on actual falls. Fear of falling is commonly assessed using the Falls Self-Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) or the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. These scales can predict risk of falling. We aimed to validate the FES-I and the ABC in persons with dystonia. Methods: We conducted an online survey of people with dystonia, collecting information on demographics, 6-month falls history, dystonia disability, and the FES-I and ABC scales. Scales were validated for structural validity and internal consistency. We also examined goodness-of-fit, convergent validity, and predictive validity, and determined cutoff scores for predicting falls risk. Results: Survey responses (n = 122) showed that both FES-I and ABC scales have high internal validity and convergent validity with the Functional Disability Questionnaire in persons with dystonia. Each scale examines a single factor, fear of falling (FES-I) and balance confidence (ABC). At least one fall was reported by 39% of participants; the cutoff value for falls risk was found to be 29.5 and 71.3 for the FES-I and the ABC respectively. Discussion and Conclusions: The FES-I and the ABC scales are valid scales to examine fear of falling and balance confidence in persons with dystonia. Fear of falling is high and balance confidence is low and both are worse in those with dystonia who have previously fallen. Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A182).	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1097/NPT.0000000000000198	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Rehabilitation	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Dystonia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Reproducibility of Results	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Fear	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Self Efficacy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Psychometrics	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Accidental Falls	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Postural Balance	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.title	Validation of Fear of Falling and Balance Confidence Assessment Scales in Persons with Dystonia	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	41	en_US
utslib.for	1109 Neurosciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/IMPACCT
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Graduate School of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHT - Health Technologies
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	4	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	41	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017 Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, APTA. Background and Purpose: Falls are problematic for people living with neurological disorders and a fear of falling can impact on actual falls. Fear of falling is commonly assessed using the Falls Self-Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) or the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. These scales can predict risk of falling. We aimed to validate the FES-I and the ABC in persons with dystonia. Methods: We conducted an online survey of people with dystonia, collecting information on demographics, 6-month falls history, dystonia disability, and the FES-I and ABC scales. Scales were validated for structural validity and internal consistency. We also examined goodness-of-fit, convergent validity, and predictive validity, and determined cutoff scores for predicting falls risk. Results: Survey responses (n = 122) showed that both FES-I and ABC scales have high internal validity and convergent validity with the Functional Disability Questionnaire in persons with dystonia. Each scale examines a single factor, fear of falling (FES-I) and balance confidence (ABC). At least one fall was reported by 39% of participants; the cutoff value for falls risk was found to be 29.5 and 71.3 for the FES-I and the ABC respectively. Discussion and Conclusions: The FES-I and the ABC scales are valid scales to examine fear of falling and balance confidence in persons with dystonia. Fear of falling is high and balance confidence is low and both are worse in those with dystonia who have previously fallen. Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A182).

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/124619