Development and validation of a French Canadian version of the falls Behavioral (FaB) Scale. (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Filiatrault, Johanne; Demers, Louise; Parisien, Manon; Lorthios-Guilledroit, Agathe; Kaegi, Christine; Ménard, Isabelle; Paniconi, Mary-Grace; St-Laurent, Caroline
• Is Part Of: Disability and rehabilitation. Volume 36:Number 21(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1798
• Page End: 1803
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: People with disabilities -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 617.03
• DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2013.871073
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8288

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Purpose</italic>: To develop a French Canadian version of the Falls Behavioral (FaB) Scale and examine its psychometric properties. <italic>Methods</italic>: The FaB was adapted in French Canadian (FaB-FC) and validated according to standard guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of questionnaires. The internal consistency and construct validity of the FaB-FC were studied among 64 community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over. The concurrent validity and test–retest reliability of the FaB-FC were respectively examined among subsamples including 31 bilingual and 33 unilingual participants. <italic>Results</italic>: The FaB-FC showed good concurrent validity with the original FaB (ICC<sub>2</sub> = 0.94; 0.87–0.97), as well as good test–retest reliability (ICC<sub>2</sub> = 0.94; 0.88–0.97). The FaB-FC also demonstrated high internal consistency (<italic>α</italic> = 0.91). Moreover, analyses showed significant associations of the FaB-FC scores with fear of falling and balance confidence scores, attesting to its construct validity. <italic>Conclusion</italic>: This study provides evidence that the FaB-FC has sound psychometric properties. Since falls are associated with multiple risk factors, including behavioral factors, the FaB-FC is undoubtedly a relevant assessment tool for clinicians and researchers working toward fall prevention among French-speaking community-dwelling seniors.<list list-type="bullet"><title>Implications for Rehabilitation</title><list-item><p>Fall-related behaviors should be addressed in the assessment of community-dwelling seniors' fall risks.</p></list-item><list-item><p>Like the original FaB, the French Canadian version of the tool (FaB-FC) is valid and reliable for assessing fall-related behaviors.</p></list-item><list-item><p>The FaB-FC is a relevant complementary assessment tool for identifying seniors at risk for falls.</p></list-item><list-item><p>The FaB-FC could also be useful in guiding fall prevention interventions and measuring the impact of these interventions on seniors' behaviors.</p></list-item></list></p> </abstract>