Rasch Analysis of the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale in Older Adults Seeking Outpatient Rehabilitation Services

Abstract An accurate understanding of one’s abilities and limitations allows adaptive response to the challenges that are faced in daily life. However, older adults may over or under estimate their actual abilities. The Daily Balance Project examined the intraindividual dynamics of older adults’ perceived balance with objective measures of balance and physical activity. For 30 consecutive days, following a comprehensive fall risk assessment, 20 older adults rated their balance confidence (Activities Balance Confidence scale) at that moment and then performed five standardized balance assessments measured via smartphone accelerometer held to their chest. Physical activity was measured with an activity monitor. Baseline measurements of fall risk differentiated the extent of intraindividual variation and co-variation of balance and physical activity. For some participants, actual and perceived balance became more closely aligned as the study progressed. The implications of the findings for life-span perspectives on aging and fall prevention are discussed.

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Pain Intensity and Functional Outcomes for Activities of Daily Living, Gait and Balance in Older Adults Accessing Outpatient Rehabilitation Services: A Retrospective Study

Journal of Pain Research ◽

10.2147/jpr.s256700 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol Volume 13 ◽

pp. 2013-2021

Author(s):

René Pelletier ◽

Lidiane Purcell-Lévesque ◽

Marie-Claude Girard ◽

Pierre-Michel Roy ◽

Guillaume Léonard

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Retrospective Study ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Daily Living ◽

Outpatient Rehabilitation ◽

Rehabilitation Services

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The Short Version of the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale for Older Adults with Diabetes—Convergent, Discriminant and Concurrent Validity: A Pilot Study

Canadian Journal of Diabetes ◽

10.1016/j.jcjd.2016.10.007 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 266-272 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Patricia Hewston ◽

Nandini Deshpande

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Short Version ◽

Balance Confidence ◽

Confidence Scale

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Postural Balance and Self-Reported Exercise in Older Adults

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly ◽

10.1123/apaq.17.1.69 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 69-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Suzanne C. Hoeppner ◽

James H. Rimmer

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Performance Tests ◽

Retirement Home ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Balance Confidence ◽

Ambulatory Status ◽

Males And Females ◽

Exercise Status ◽

Confidence Scale

The purpose of this study was to determine if self-reported exercise status (exercise, nonexercise) and ambulatory status (aid, no aid) discriminate between balance performance and balance self-efficacy of older adults, ages 65 to 95 years. Participants were 14 males and 46 females in a retirement home that contained a supervised fitness center. An activities-specific balance confidence scale and three balance performance tests yielded data. Data from males and females were combined because independent t tests revealed no significant gender differences. The Mann Whitney U test revealed that (a) exercisers (M age = 83.4) scored significantly higher than nonexercisers (M age = 83.7) on all measures, and (b) nonaid users (M age = 83.5) scored significantly higher than aid users (M age = 83.7). Findings indicate that regular exercise (at least 30 min per day, 3 days per week) and ambulation without a cane or walker are descriptors of older adults with good balance performance and high balance self-efficacy.

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