Objective. To examine the scaling properties and test-retest reliability of
an expanded version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and to compare group
differences in the scores. The expanded version focuses on more basic, pri
mary activities of daily living (ADL), which makes the scale more suitable
for subjects with moderate to low functional ability, e.g. patients with st
roke.
Design: A test-retest reliability study with one group convenience sample.
Setting: Two day-care units: a rehabilitation unit and a geriatric rehabili
tation unit.
Subjects: A volunteer sample of 30 patients (mean age 65 years, SD 11 years
) who had sustained stroke between 5 and 84 months prior to the investigati
on,
Main outcome measure: A 13-activity questionnaire (the Swedish modification
of the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES(S)) comprising the 10 activities of the o
riginal FES and three additional activities was used. Falls efficacy was ra
ted on a 10-point visual analogue scale for each activity on two occasions,
5-22 (mean 10, Md 7) days apart.
Results: The overall test-retest reliability of the FES(S) was high (intrac
lass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.97). The ICC for the personal ADL (i
tems 1-6) scores was 0.93 and for the instrumental ADL (items 8-13) 0.97. I
CC for the individual items ranged from 0.76 to 0.97.
Conclusions: On the basis of these preliminary findings, the FES(S) appears
to have acceptable test-retest reliability. The test may be a reasonable a
ddition for assessing stroke patients with balance disturbances and risk fo
r falls.