Test of reliability of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory and The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale for Use in Sweden

Abstract

Two questionnaires have been shown to evaluate well-being and level of function in patients with dizziness and unsteadiness: the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Activities Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. The objective of this study was to describe the reliability and the content validity of the Swedish translation of the DHI and the ABC for use in Sweden. The translation into Swedish was performed according to an established double translation method. Fifteen patients with vestibular dysfunction (range 30-87 years) completed and commented on the DHI and the ABC on two occasions with one week in between. The test-retest reliability for the scales was good to fair (k=0.63 for the DHI and k=0.25 for the ABC). All patients who completed the DHI and ABC found the questions adequate. The study concluded that the test-retest reliability for both the DHI and the ABC was good. The content validity was also good since all the patients were content with the questionnaires. Perhaps some questions need to be added to better suit a Swedish population.

• Physical Function
• Questionnaire
• Self-estimation
• Swedish Version
• Unsteadiness
• Vestibular Dysfunction