Award Date

5-1-2023

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Committee Member

Jenny Kent

Second Committee Member

Daniel Young

Third Committee Member

Merrill Landers

Number of Pages

33

Abstract

Background/purpose: The Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire (FFABQ), developed in 2011 to measure fear of falling avoidance behavior, has good evidence for reliability and validity. However, a recently modified version (mFFABQ) is theorized to be easier to understand for those completing the questionnaire because the Likert responses are more logical in completing the item stem. The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the mFFABQ in adults with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and older adults aged 60-90 years. Methods: Thirty-nine participants (age 72.21 ± 9.5; 29 men, 10 women) diagnosed with PD (diagnosis year median=2007; Hoehn and Yahr median and mode=3.0) and 49 older adults without PD (age 72.86± 5.0; 13 men, 36 women) who were cognitively screened with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test participated in the study. For test-retest reliability, the mFFABQ was administered twice, separated by one week. Evidence for construct validity was evaluated by comparing the mFFABQ to the following: self-perceived balance questionnaires [Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC)]; balance- performance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), mobility and balance assessments [Timed Up & Go (TUG); 30 second sit to stand (30STS); Sensory Organization Test (SOT)]; psychological self-assessment questionnaires (Zung Anxiety Scale; Beck Depression Inventory; Consequences of Falling Questionnaire), and average daily activity levels using an activity monitor for one week (i.e., time sitting/lying, time standing, time stepping, number of steps). Results: The mFFABQ had good overall test-retest reliability (ICC(3,1)= .822 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.739 - 0.881) with a 90% minimal detectable change of 14.775 scale points with a score range from 0 to 56. In addition, the mFFABQ correlated with fall history (r=-0.430) and exhibited high correlation with the ABC (rho= -.804), and moderate correlations with CoFQ (rho=.582), and BBS (rho=-.595). The mFFABQ also correlated with time sitting/lying (rho=.129), time standing (rho=-.072), time stepping (rho=-.298), and number of steps (rho=-.358). Conclusions: Results from this study offer evidence of good reliability and validity of the mFFABQ in PD and suggest that it may be useful as an outcome tool in patients with fear avoidance behavior. The mFFABQ offers the clinician a way to confidently assess avoidance behavior in those with PD who experience or report fear of falling.

Keywords

Postural Balance; Gait; Falls; Postural Instability; Balance Confidence; Fear of Falling; Avoidance Behavior

Disciplines

Physical Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy

File Format

pdf

File Size

642 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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