title: Reliability and validity of the German short version of the Activities specific Balance Confidence (ABC-D6) scale in older adults.
abstract: The Activities specific Balance Confidence (ABC) is a questionnaire which was developed to assess falls-associated self-efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate reliability and validity of the German abbreviated 6-item version of the ABC scores in community-dwelling older people. The study sample included 384 subjects (age 71.1 ± 9.7). In order to determine the psychometric properties, reliability and validity were assessed through administration of the German adaptation of the ABC-D16 to participants twice, 10 days apart, and comparison of the ABC-D16 and the ABC-D6 with functional measures of balance and mobility (one-leg stance; 10 m walk; TUG; Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB)), physical activity (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE)), physical fitness (30s arm curl, 30s chair stand, 6 min walk), cognition (Trail-Making-Test (TMT)), falls status, and quality of life (SF36). Factor analyses suggested a 1-factor solution for the ABC-D6 scale (explained variance 79.8%). Internal consistency (.95) and test-retest reliability (.98) for the ABC-D6 scores were excellent. Scores on the ABC-D6 were significantly lower than on the ABC-D16, but ABC-D16 and ABC-D6 scores were highly correlated (.94). There was an increasing difference in the ABC-scores between men and women with increasing age. Fallers reported lower balance confidence than non-fallers. The ABC-D6 score significantly correlated with functional measures of balance and mobility, physical activity, physical fitness, cognition, and quality of life (-.698<r<.720). It was found that the ABC-D6 is a reliable and valid instrument to asses falls-associated self-efficacy and may be used in future research projects and clinical trials.
authors: University of Stuttgart, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Allmandring 28, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany. Electronic address: nadja.schott@inspo.uni-stuttgart.de.
authors: Nadja
authors: N
authors: Schott
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005858:Germany; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: ABC-D16; Falls; Falls related self-efficacy; Older adults; Physical function; Reliability and validity