This study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale (TFES) in older adults. In addition, TFES was compared with other scales such as the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Fall Risk Self-Questionnaire Scale (FRQS), Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and Tinetti Balance and Gait Test (TBT&TGT) in the study.
Method:
The study included 100 older adults living in the community. The participants’ sociodemographic information was recorded. Their cognitive status was evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination. The validity of TFES was evaluated with TUG, FRQS, ABC, and TBT&TGT. For test-retest reliability, 51 individuals were re-evaluated 5 to 7 days later by the same physiotherapist under the same conditions.
Result:
Test-retest reliability was calculated with the intraclass correlation coefficient. The internal consistency of the items of the TFES was calculated by Cronbach’s alpha analysis. Explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the validity. In reliability tests, the Cronbach alpha value was .888, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.983. In addition, when the relationship between TFES and other scales is examined, it is found that it is statistically significant with TUG and FRQS and has positive and moderate correlations (in order of P = .000; r = 0.470; P = .000; r = 0.584); it is statistically significant with ABC and TBT&TGT and has negative and moderate correlations (in order of P = .000; r = −0.540; P = .000; r = −0.420).
Conclusion:
This study demonstrated that the Turkish version of the TFES is a valid and reliable scale for older adults. This study will be a guide for health professionals working in this field to be used in future studies.