Disabil Rehabil. 2026 Aug 5:1-11. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2026.2706363. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To test psychometric properties to support the validity of the Arabic language version of the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (A-MFES) for use with older adults in rehabilitation settings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study included the response of A-MFES for 207 older adults (66.6 ± 5.8) from Saudi Arabia. Rasch analysis was used to investigate psychometric properties like unidimensionality with reliability, targeting, rating scale functioning and Differential Item Functioning (DIF).
RESULTS: The main dimension was explained by 78.8% of the variance, which confirmed the unidimensionality of the A-MFES. The reliability coefficient was 0.95, indicating high internal consistency. Targeting showed that item difficulty covered 96% of the participants’ ability. No statistically significant DIFs were observed between males and females or between age groups. Rating scale functioning of the original 11-category scale indicated overlap between the adjacent categories. Collapsing adjacent categories suggested a six-category scale, which indicated better functioning.
CONCLUSION: Five of six validity evidence supported the validity of the A-MFES for use in rehabilitation settings to evaluate fall-related self-efficacy among older adults. The A-MFES indicated promising use for identifying older adults at fall risk and planning interventions accordingly. However, revision of rating scale structure is recommended, and further investigation is needed.
PMID:42554356 | DOI:10.1080/09638288.2026.2706363
