The Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale

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JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale

LE Powell and AM Myers
University of Waterloo, Ontario, Department of Health Studies and Gerontology.

BACKGROUND. This study provides a replication of the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and a head-to-head comparison with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale designed to include a wider continuum of activity difficulty and more detailed item descriptors. METHODS. Items for the newly developed 16-item ABC Scale were generated by 15 clinicians and 12 elderly outpatients. Psychometric testing involved 60 community seniors (aged 65-95) self-classified as either high or low in mobility confidence according to their perceived need for a walking aid and personal assistance to ambulate outdoors. RESULTS. Both the FES and ABC scales were found to be internally consistent and demonstrated good test-retest reliability, convergent and criterion validity. Scalogram analyses indicated a stronger cumulative scale in the case of the ABC and skewness in the distribution of FES scores. While both scales were able to discriminate between the two mobility groups, the ABC scale was a more efficient discriminator and yielded a wider range of responses. CONCLUSIONS. The present study provided additional psychometric support for the FES. However, the greater item responsiveness of the ABC scale makes it more suitable to detect loss of balancing confidence in more highly functioning seniors. Greater situation-specificity of items may also assist clinicians in targeting appropriate interventions.

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Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences

				M. Crotty, C. H Whitehead, S. Gray, and P. M Finucane Early discharge and home rehabilitation after hip fracture achieves functional improvements: a randomized controlled trial Clinical Rehabilitation, April 1, 2002; 16(4): 406 - 413. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. L Whitney, D. M Wrisley, G. F Marchetti, M. A Gee, M. S Redfern, and J. M Furman Clinical Measurement of Sit-to-Stand Performance in People With Balance Disorders: Validity of Data for the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test Physical Therapy, October 1, 2005; 85(10): 1034 - 1045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. K Mangione and K. M Palombaro Exercise Prescription for a Patient 3 Months After Hip Fracture Physical Therapy, July 1, 2005; 85(7): 676 - 687. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L Whitney, R. G Jacob, P. J Sparto, E. F Olshansky, G. Detweiler-Shostak, E. L Brown, and J. M Furman Acrophobia and Pathological Height Vertigo: Indications for Vestibular Physical Therapy? Physical Therapy, May 1, 2005; 85(5): 443 - 458. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. M Wrisley, G. F Marchetti, D. K Kuharsky, and S. L Whitney Reliability, Internal Consistency, and Validity of Data Obtained With the Functional Gait Assessment Physical Therapy, October 1, 2004; 84(10): 906 - 918. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. C Miller, M. Speechley, and A B. Deathe Balance Confidence Among People With Lower-Limb Amputations Physical Therapy, September 1, 2002; 82(9): 856 - 865. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Hellstrom and B. Lindmark Fear of falling in patients with stroke: a reliability study Clinical Rehabilitation, June 1, 1999; 13(6): 509 - 517. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Whitehead, M. Miller, and M. Crotty Falls in community-dwelling older persons following hip fracture: impact on self-efficacy, balance and handicap Clinical Rehabilitation, August 1, 2003; 17(8): 899 - 906. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Silsupadol, K.-C. Siu, A. Shumway-Cook, and M. H Woollacott Training of Balance Under Single- and Dual-Task Conditions in Older Adults With Balance Impairment Physical Therapy, February 1, 2006; 86(2): 269 - 281. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Hatch, K. M Gill-Body, and L. G Portney Determinants of Balance Confidence in Community-Dwelling Elderly People Physical Therapy, December 1, 2003; 83(12): 1072 - 1079. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L. Smith and R. L. West The Application of Self-Efficacy Principles to Audiologic Rehabilitation: A Tutorial Am J Audiol, June 1, 2006; 15(1): 46 - 56. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C M Wiles, M E Busse, C M Sampson, M T Rogers, J Fenton-May, and R van Deursen Falls and stumbles in myotonic dystrophy J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, March 1, 2006; 77(3): 393 - 396. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J V Jacobs, F B Horak, V K Tran, and J G Nutt Multiple balance tests improve the assessment of postural stability in subjects with Parkinson's disease J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, March 1, 2006; 77(3): 322 - 326. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Yardley, N. Beyer, K. Hauer, G. Kempen, C. Piot-Ziegler, and C. Todd Development and initial validation of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) Age Ageing, November 1, 2005; 34(6): 614 - 619. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Robitaille, S. Laforest, M. Fournier, L. Gauvin, M. Parisien, H. Corriveau, F. Trickey, and N. Damestoy Moving Forward in Fall Prevention: An Intervention to Improve Balance Among Older Adults in Real-World Settings Am J Public Health, November 1, 2005; 95(11): 2049 - 2056. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Li, E. Mcauley, K. J. Fisher, P. Harmer, N. Chaumeton, and N. L. Wilson Self-Efficacy as a Mediator Between Fear of Falling and Functional Ability in the Elderly J Aging Health, November 1, 2002; 14(4): 452 - 466. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Legters Fear of Falling Physical Therapy, March 1, 2002; 82(3): 264 - 272. [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Li, K. J. Fisher, P. Harmer, E. McAuley, and N. L. Wilson Fear of Falling in Elderly Persons: Association With Falls, Functional Ability, and Quality of Life J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., September 1, 2003; 58(5): P283 - 290. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. A. Brown, R. J. Sleik, M. A. Polych, and W. H. Gage Is the Prioritization of Postural Control Altered in Conditions of Postural Threat in Younger and Older Adults? J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., December 1, 2002; 57(12): M785 - 792. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. L. Cromwell, R. A. Newton, and G. Forrest Influence of Vision on Head Stabilization Strategies in Older Adults During Walking J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., July 1, 2002; 57(7): M442 - 448. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Endo, J. A. Ashton-Miller, and N. B. Alexander Effects of Age and Gender on Toe Flexor Muscle Strength J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., June 1, 2002; 57(6): M392 - 397. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Shumway-Cook, S. Brauer, and M. Woollacott Predicting the Probability for Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Using the Timed Up & Go Test Physical Therapy, September 1, 2000; 80(9): 896 - 903. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. E. Maki, M. A. Edmondstone, and W. E. McIlroy Age-Related Differences in Laterally Directed Compensatory Stepping Behavior J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., May 1, 2000; 55(5): 270M - 277. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. L. Medell and N. B. Alexander A Clinical Measure of Maximal and Rapid Stepping in Older Women J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., August 1, 2000; 55(8): 429M - 433. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S. G. Brauer, Y. R. Burns, and P. Galley A Prospective Study of Laboratory and Clinical Measures of Postural Stability to Predict Community-Dwelling Fallers J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., August 1, 2000; 55(8): 469M - 476. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				T. J. Overend, B. M. Chesworth, M. Sandrin, S. Stroud, R. J. Petrella, and R. McCalden Determination of Prefracture Physical Function in Community-Dwelling People Who Fracture Their Hip J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., November 1, 2000; 55(11): 698M - 702. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S W Parry, N Steen, S R Galloway, R A Kenny, and J Bond Falls and confidence related quality of life outcome measures in an older British cohort Postgrad. Med. J., February 1, 2001; 77(904): 103 - 108. [Abstract] [Full Text]