Abstract

Stroke Survivors are predisposed to certain fall risk factors like impaired gait, impaired balance and coordination, as a result of associated motor dysfunctions and disability. This influences their quality of life and causes limitations in their daily living activities. FES is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing confidence level while performing activities of daily living without falling. However, its psychometric properties have not been tested among Igbo Stroke Survivors. Hence this study aimed to translate the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and investigate its psychometric properties in the Igbo Stroke Survivors (SS). A total of 40 participants involving 20SS and 20 age- and sex-matched normal subjects completed an Igbo version of the FES. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Igbo translated FES  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 FES instruments, demonstrated an excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90. The FES Igbo version had an excellent test-retest reliability (r = 0.977, p = 0.001), criterion-related validity(r =0.992, p = 0.001) and construct validity (t = 14.576, p<0.001). FES Igbo version is a reliable and valid tool for assessing confidence level of SS without falling while performing activities of daily living.

Keywords: Fear of Falling, Igbo, Fall Efficacy Scale, Psychometric Testing, Stroke Survivors.