Reliability, Construct Validity, and Clinical Feasibility of the Activities-Specific Fall Caution Scale for Residential Living Seniors
Presented in part to the Gerontological Society of America, November 2005, Orlando, FL.
Abstract
Blanchard RA, Myers AM, Pearce NJ. Reliability, construct validity, and clinical feasibility of the Activities-specific Fall Caution Scale for residential living seniors.
Objective
To examine the reliability, validity, and feasibility of the Activities-specific Fall Caution (AFC) Scale.
Design
Cross-sectional studies with test-retest and interrater reliability.
Setting
Residential care facilities in Ontario, Canada: 10 in study 1 and 6 in study 2.
Participants
Convenience samples of 101 and 31 residents.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
In study 1, the AFC Scale was readministered to 44 residents, 64 were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go, and Self-Paced Walk Test, and the Nursing Home Life-Space Diameter was completed for 80 residents. In study 2, staff administered the AFC Scale to 31 residents on 2 occasions.
Results
In study 1, test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]) was .87 (95% confidence interval, .78−.93). AFC scores were associated with physical performance and mobility patterns (P<.001) and able to discriminate on the basis of gait aid use (P<.001), balance disorders (P<.05), and transfer assistance and walk speed (P<.01). Comparatively, general fear of falling showed weaker associations and a sex bias. In study 2, staff administration was fairly consistent (ICC=.71) and similar associations emerged for AFC scores.
Conclusions
The AFC Scale shows good reproducibility, convergent and discriminative validity, and is feasible for clinical as well as research use.
Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Correspondence to Anita M. Myers, PhD, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.
ABSTRACT