Citation

Almeida LRS, Valença GT, Canning CG, Carvalho K, Silva AC, Oliveira-Filho J, Pinto EB. Disabil. Rehabil. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09638288.2022.2141356

PMID

36373004

Abstract

PURPOSE: To develop and cross-culturally adapt a Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Falls Behavioral Scale (FaB-Brazil) and to verify its psychometric properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process of the scale followed standard guidelines. The FaB-Brazil scale was applied to 93 community-dwelling older people. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to evaluate internal consistency and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to evaluate interrater and test-retest reliability. The standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change (MDC), ceiling and floor effects, convergent and discriminative validity were evaluated. A significance level of.05 was set for statistical analyses.

RESULTS: Internal consistency was moderate (α = 0.73). An excellent inter-rater (ICC = 0.93; p < 0.001) and a good test-retest (ICC = 0.79; p < 0.001) reliability were found. The SEM was 0.27 and MDC was 0.53. Neither ceiling nor floor effects were found. Convergent validity was established by the positive correlations between the FaB-Brazil scale, age, and functional mobility, and by the negative correlations between the FaB-Brazil scale and balance confidence, community mobility and EuroQol-5D (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between males and females and between non-fallers and fallers.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results offer evidence for the reliability and validity of the FaB-Brazil scale for community-dwelling older people.Implications for RehabilitationFall-related behaviors should be part of the fall risk assessment of community-dwelling older people.The Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Falls Behavioral Scale (FaB-Brazil) is reliable and valid for assessing fall-related behaviors in community-dwelling older people.The FaB-Brazil scale may be used to raise awareness about potential fall hazards and to guide fall prevention programs.

Language: en

Keywords

falls; fall prevention; Aging; psychometric properties; fall risk; cross-cultural adaptation; fall-related behaviors