Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Falls Efficacy Scale - International in Filipino community-dwelling older adults

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity study of the Turkish version of the "Spinal Cord Injury-Falls Concern Scale"

PURPOSE

This study aims to conduct a Turkish validity and reliability study of the Spinal Cord Injury-Falls Concern Scale (SCI-FCS).

METHODS

The study involved 134 volunteer patients with spinal cord injury. Various validity analyses, including content validity analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, and Cronbach's alpha value based on a single application for reliability, were employed. The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) was used for criterion validity.

RESULTS

All the standardized regression coefficients for the single factor measurement model established with 16 items in the scale are above 0.84. The CFA model, also with a single factor and 16 items, yields the following fit indices: Root-Mean-Square Error of Approximation value of 0.15, Standardized Root Mean Residual Squares value of 0.06, Chi-square value of 2.20, and Comparative Fit Index and Non-Normed Fit Index values of 0.98. The scores they received from the SCI-FCS and the scores they received from the FES-I scale have a statistically significant positive correlation (p < 0.01). The test-retest reliability coefficient value is 0.81, and the Cronbach Alpha value is 0.97.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the SCI-FCS is a valid and reliable tool for determining fall concerns for patients with spinal cord injury.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the measurement properties of concerns-about-falling instruments in older people and people at increased risk of falls

BACKGROUND

The 16-item Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) is widely used to assess concerns-about-falling. Variants include 7-item Short FES-I, 30-item Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale (Icon FES) and 10-item short Icon FES. No comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis has been conducted to synthesise evidence regarding the measurement properties of these tools.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the measurement properties of four FES-I variants.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched systematically and articles were assessed for eligibility independently. The methodological quality of eligible studies was assessed using COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) Risk of Bias checklist. The quality of measurement properties was assessed using COSMIN criteria for good measurement properties. Where possible, meta-analysis was conducted; otherwise, narrative synthesis was performed. Overall certainty of evidence was rated using a modified Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system approach.

RESULTS

The review included 58 studies investigating measurement properties of the four instruments. There was high-quality evidence to support internal consistency, reliability and construct validity of all instruments. Moderate- to high-certainty evidence suggests one-factor structure of FES-I with two underlying dimensions, one-factor structure of Short FES-I and two-factor structure of Icon FES. There was high-certainty evidence to support the responsiveness of FES-I, with further research needed for the other instruments.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence for excellent measurement properties of all four instruments. We recommend the use of these tools with healthy older people and people at a greater risk of falls due to conditions that might affect mobility and balance.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Taiwan Chinese version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International for community-dwelling elderly individuals

Background

The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) is a commonly used questionnaire to evaluate concerns about falling. We adapted a Taiwan Chinese version (FES-ITC) and evaluated its reliability and validity in community-dwelling elderly individuals. The discriminative validity was tested in relation to several known risk factors for fear of falling (FOF).

Methods

The questionnaire was adapted through translation, back-translation, and expert review processes. A convenience sample of 135 community-dwelling elderly individuals (at least 60 years old) completed the adapted questionnaire, and 31 of them had a retest within 7–10 days. Cronbach’s α and an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate the internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Principal component factor analysis was performed to assess the factor-construct validity. The discriminative validity was tested in relation to demographic features, fall-related history and performances on three functional tests: timed up and go, four-stage balance and 30-s chair stand tests. Effect sizes were computed. Correlation coefficients between physical functional performance and FES-ITC scores were computed. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the cutoff point for the score to differentiate high and low concern of falling.

Results

The FES-ITC questionnaire had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.94) and excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.94). Principal component factor analysis yielded a two-factor model, with several items requiring high demand on postural control loading on factor 2. FES-ITC scores discriminated individuals with different ages, reporting FOF, reporting falls in the past year and using walking aids. However, FES-ITC scores did not differ between the participants who were at risk of falling and those who were not at risk based on functional test performance and there was no correlation found between them.

Conclusion

The FES-ITC was highly reliable and had adequate construct and discriminative validity. The lack of correlation between FES-ITC scores and functional test performance implied the presence of FOF even in individuals with good functional performance. Further follow up studies are warranted to verify the predictive validity of the FES-ITC.

Pilot testing of Dual-task Zumba Gold (DTZ) for community-dwelling people with mild cognitive impairment: A mixed-methods study

Dual-tasking (e.g., enrichment of physical activities with mental exercises) is an innovative strategy to enhance older adults' cognition. Meanwhile, Zumba is a popular dance program, but research is limited about its utility on older people or those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study assessed the feasibility of a new intervention called dual-task Zumba Gold (DTZ) for people with MCI. A mixed-methods feasibility study involving ten people aged ≥55 years with MCI was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021. Nine participants completed the study (90%) with high intervention acceptability. Program adherence (90.3%) and implementation fidelity (92.2%) were high. Participants also expressed the program's benefits, challenges, and facilitators. Moreover, pilot test results suggested improvements in global cognition (Z=-2.680; p=0.007), quality of life (Z=-2.688; p=0.008), and mobility (Z=-2.333; p=0.020). Hence, DTZ is feasible and acceptable for people with MCI, offering potential multidomain effects. Future randomized controlled studies should confirm these outcomes.