Reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the modified falls efficacy scale

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to adapt Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) into Arabic and determine the reliability and validity of the instrument.

Materials and methods

The study was conducted in two phases: (i) translation and adaptation by the systematic approach of the ‘forward-back’ translation method and (ii) psychometric testing of the Arabic version of the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale among 207 community-dwelling older adults (≥ 60 years).

Results

The Arabic version of the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.98) and test–retest reliability scores (ICC = 0.96, 95% CI; 0.95–0.97). And also showed strong correlations with both the Falls Efficacy International (r = −0.82) and the activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (r = 0.87). Sampling adequacy for factor analysis was proven by a Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin value of 0.962. Goodness-of-fit (GFI) statistics for the model were in the acceptable range (Chi-Square/Degree of Freedom (CMIN/DF) = 2.59, Goodness-of-fit index (GFI) = 0.9, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.97, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.79).

Conclusion

The Arabic version of the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale has demonstrated excellent psychometric qualities to measure the level of fear of falling.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Modified falls efficacy scale (MFES) is a commonly used scale for assessment of fear of fall in elderly

• The translated and adapted Arabic version of (A-MFES) will enhance the assessment of fear of fall in Arabic older adults, though it is a patient response scale

• This scale can assess the fear of falling in indoor and outdoor activities which makes this scale comprehensive in nature

Keywords:

• Fall
• fear of falling
• reliability
• validity
• Arabic

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.