The Falls-Efficacy Scale, Swedish version : does it reflect clinically meaningful changes after stroke?

• PURPOSE:The overall aim of this prospective investigation was to evaluate the ability of the Falls Efficacy Scale (Swedish version) (FES(S)) to reflect clinically meaningful changes over time.METHOD:Changes on the FES(S) scale were compared with changes in two different standardized measures of observer-assessed balance, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Fugl-Meyer balance subscale (FMB), and of motor function and ambulation in 62 stroke patients. Assessments took place on admission for rehabilitation, at discharge and 10 months after the stroke. Indices of effect size were used to evaluate responsiveness of the instruments. Three time periods were studied: admission to discharge (early response), discharge to 10 month follow-up (late response) and admission to follow-up (overall response).RESULTS:The main findings are that the FES(S) is as responsive as BBS and FMB in detecting changes during the early and overall response periods. Changes in FES(S) scores between admission and discharge correlated significantly with changes in observer-assessed balance, motor function and ambulation scores.CONCLUSIONS:The present results suggest that measurement of perceived confidence in task performance using the FES(S) scale is responsive to improvement in patients with hemiparesis at an early stage after stroke.

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