Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: April | Volume: 10 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 6-12
To Find Convergent and Predictive Validity of Three Scales Related to Falls in Functionally Independent Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Shah Dharti Dhaval1, Balasubramanian Sundaram2, Joseley Thomasraj3
1Assistant Professor, Apollo Institute of Physiotherapy, SNME Campus, Naroda Dahegam Road,
Ahmedabad-382330, Gujarat.
2Physiotherapist and Director of Physiotherapy, WE-FIX-U Physiotherapy and Foot Health Centre,
Cobourg, on, K9A 3A7
3Registered Physiotherapist, PT Lifemark Health, I Yonge Street, Toronto, M5E 1E6
Corresponding Author: Shah Dharti Dhaval
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Age related changes lead to falls and fear of fall. From many scales, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) a gold standard, Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FABS) for highly functioning older adults are objective tools of balance whereas Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) is a subjective tool. The present study was intended to establish the convergent validity of FES-I with that of FABS and BBS and also to find which of these tools is most valid in predicting the risk of falls among the functionally independent older adults.
Methodology: In this descriptive cross-sectional study 100 participants were included based on selection criteria. The subjects were asked to answer three questions related to fall and fear of fall and also were assessed on three assessment tools.
Results: The results showed a significant moderate correlation between FES-I and BBS (r = -0.62, P < 0.0001), FES-I and FABS (r = -0.48, P < 0.0001), and BBS and FABS (r = 0.58, P < 0.0001). The percent of variance explained by FES-I, BBS, and FABS for frequency of falls, frequency of leaving the home and activity restriction were (21, 30, 20), (10, 20, 20) and (31, 28, 16) respectively.
Conclusion: The three scales are measuring different constructs and none of them is able to accurately predict the fall risk among highly functioning older adults.
Key words: Convergent Validity, Predictive validity, Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FABS), Fall risk.