Reliability and Validity of the Composite Activity-Related Fall Risk Scale

Frontiers in Neurology, 2022 · DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.832691 · Published: March 22, 2022

Simple Explanation

This study evaluates the reliability and validity of the Composite Activity-related Risk of Falls Scale (CARFS) for assessing fall risk in older adults and individuals with stroke or spinal cord injury. The CARFS measures activity-related fall risk by considering activity-specific fear of falling and physical behavior. It aims to provide a comprehensive assessment applicable to a wide range of people with different health statuses. The study found that the CARFS is a reliable and valid tool for measuring fall risk in older people and persons with stroke or spinal cord injury, showing excellent test-retest reliability and internal consistency.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

70 older adults, 38 persons with stroke, and 18 with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The CARFS demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability in assessing fear of falling, physical behavior, and composite activity-related fall risk.
2
The CARFS items showed excellent internal consistency in older participants and good internal consistency in participants with stroke or spinal cord injury.
3
The CARFS showed no ceiling and floor effects across a wide range of individuals, making it suitable for diverse populations.

Research Summary

This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Composite Activity-Related Fall Risk Scale (CARFS) in older adults, persons with stroke, and persons with spinal cord injury. The CARFS demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability, good internal consistency, and no ceiling or floor effects, indicating its suitability for measuring fall risk in diverse populations. The study concludes that the CARFS is a reliable and valid tool for quantifying composite activity-specific risk of falls in older people and persons with stroke or spinal cord injury.

Practical Implications

Clinical Assessment

The CARFS can be used by clinicians to reliably and validly assess fall risk in older adults and individuals with stroke or spinal cord injury.

Targeted Interventions

The CARFS can help identify specific areas of concern, such as fear of falling or activity restriction, to guide tailored fall prevention programs.

Research Tool

The CARFS can be used in research to evaluate the effectiveness of fall prevention interventions and to compare fall risk across different populations.

Study Limitations

1
The representativeness of the target population may not be sufficient in terms of demographic features and falls characteristics.
2
The study did not explore predictive validity to falls and sensitivity to change within the CARFS.
3
Further studies are needed to assess the applicability and effectiveness of recommended fall prevention programs based on the CARF score.

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