Translation and Population-Based Validation of the Arabic Version of the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale

TL;DR

This study translated the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale into Arabic and confirmed its reliability and validity for measuring balance in older adults.

Contribution

The paper provides a validated Arabic version of the FAB scale for use in older adult populations.

Findings

The FAB-A showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86).

Strong correlations were found between the FAB-A and the Berg Balance Scale (r = 0.75).

The psychometric model fit was acceptable with GFI statistics within the expected range.

Abstract

Background/Objective: This study aimed to translate the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB) into Arabic and assess the instrument’s reliability and validity. Methods: The study was carried out in two distinct stages: (i) the translation and adaptation process utilizing the ‘forward-back’ translation method and (ii) the psychometric evaluation of the Arabic version of the FAB-A among a sample of 68 older persons residing in the community. Results: The internal consistency of the FAB-A was excellent (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86). The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) for the inter-rater tests (ICC = 0.96, p ≤ 0.001) and the intra-rater tests (ICC = 0.95, p ≤ 0.001) were excellent and significant. The scale showed a strong correlation with the Berg Balance Scale (r = 0.75). The sampling adequacy for factor analysis was proven by a Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin value of 0.84. The goodness of fit (GFI) statistics for the model were in the acceptable range (Chi-square/Degree of freedom (CMIN/DF) = 1.38, Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI) = 0.88, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.95, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.07). Conclusions: The FAB-A has demonstrated excellent psychometric qualities for measuring balance in older adults.

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