Translation and Psychometric Properties of the Urdu Version of Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale

Falls are the most common cause of injuries and hospitalization for elderly people and can lead to a significant loss of independence. Even in the absence of serious injury, falls may lead seniors to restrict their activities outside of the home for fear of falling again.Tinetti's Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) is the most widely used measure of self-efficacy in studies on falls prevention. Mary E. Tinetti developed this scale to measure the fear of falling. The 10item scale was developed to assess confidence in performing daily activities without falling. Items are rated from 1 ¼ extreme confidence to 10 ¼ no confidence at all. The FES scale has been reported to have excellent internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha ranged between 0.89 and 0.99), with all items loading on a single factor.Test-retest reliability has been reported to be good (ranged from r ¼ 0.71 - 0.90).Criterion validity has been demonstrated by significant associations between FES scores and difficulty getting up after a fall, measures of balance and gait, and activity avoidance. In predictor studies, low FES scores were associated with falls restrictions in social functions and activities of daily living (ADL) reduced physical activity and mobility problems. Tinetti's Falls Efficacy Scale has been translated many languages like Chinese, Iranian, Persian etc. But the Urdu translation is not yet available. To measure the fear of falling in stroke patients Tinetti's Falls Efficacy Scale is a reliable and valid scale..In Neuro rehabilitation clinics the most common issue with the patients who come for rehabilitation is Stroke. So, it is highly required to translate valid and reliable instruments like Tinetti's Falls Efficacy Scale in to Urdu language. So, that patients will be able to understand the questionnaire into their native language and will be able to tell about the actual state of their condition.