Measurement properties of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale among individuals with stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the reliability and validity of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale among individuals with stroke.


METHODS
Descriptive measurement study using a 4-week test-retest design. Data were collected at a tertiary rehabilitation centre form a community-dwelling sample of ambulatory older adults who sustained one stroke at least 1 year prior to the study. During the first measurement session, the total sample (n = 77) completed the ABC as well as the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and gait speed. The reliability sample (n = 24), a subset of the larger data set, completed the ABC again 4 weeks later.


RESULTS
Internal consistency of the ABC was 0.94 and test-retest reliability was ICC = 0.85 (95% CI, 0.68, 0.93). A moderate significant positive, linear correlation with both the BBS (rho = 0.36, P < 0.001) and gait speed (rho = 0.48, P < 0.001) was observed. A factor analysis using principal component analysis indicated that the ABC measures two components of balance self-efficacy (component 1 = perceived low-risk activities; component 2 = perceived high-risk activities).


CONCLUSIONS
The ABC has acceptable measurement properties as demonstrated in this sample of individuals with stroke. This study provides further support for the use of the scale.
Botner
Erica M
EM
School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L8, Canada.
Miller
William C
WC
Eng
Janice J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation