Abstract

Individuals post stroke are at high risk for devastating consequences from falls especially while performing their activities of daily living. This is due to postural instability and abnormal gait pattern resulting from balance impairment acquired post injury. The Activity-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale is an instrument used to measure confidence in balance that hitherto was not available in Igbo language. Hence this study was designed to psychometrically test a cross-culturally adapted ABC scale for Igbo stroke survivors (SS). A total of 40 participants, involving 20 SS and 20 age- and sex-matched normal subjects completed an Igbo version of the ABC scale. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Igbo translated ABC tool were assessed using cronbach-α and Spearman correlation respectively while the construct and criterion-related validities were evaluated using independent t-test and Spearman correlation respectively. Level of significance was set at α = 0.05. The items of the ABC instruments, demonstrated an excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90. The ABC Igbo version had an excellent test-retest reliability (r = 0.003, p = 0.001), criterion-related validity (r = 0.948, p = 0.001) and construct validity (t = 17.643, p< 0.001). Igbo translated version of the ABC scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing balance confidence among stroke survivors.

Keywords: Balance Confidence, Igbo, Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale,   Psychometric Testing, Stroke Survivors.