Construct validity and reliability of the modified gait efficacy scale for older adults

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE: To perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the mGES into Dutch and investigate its construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and floor and ceiling effects in a large cohort of community-dwelling older adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We translated the British version of the mGES into Dutch, back into English, and had a native English speaker review the final version. Next, we included 223 community-dwelling older adults from the 'Veilig in Beweging Blijven' (VIBE) cohort (69.8 [67.6-74.3] years old, 155 (69.5%) female), who filled out both the mGES and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) twice, with a month in between. Construct validity was assessed by Spearman's correlation between the scores on the mGES and the FES-I. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability was assessed with the intra class correlation coefficient (ICC(2,1)).

RESULTS: Construct validity (rho = -0.81, p < 0.001), internal consistency (α = 0.95), and test-retest reliability (ICC(2,1)=0.90, 95%CI = [0.87-0.92]) were all excellent. Ceiling effect was observed in 44 (19.7%) participants which suggest caution when evaluating the mGES for fit and confident older adults.

CONCLUSION: The Dutch mGES is a valid and reliable tool to assess confidence in walking and is suggested as a tool for evaluating self-efficacy after interventions aimed at improving gait. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Assessment and rehabilitation of gait may be affected by self-efficacy of walking performance. We show that the Dutch translation of the modified gait efficacy scale is a valid and reliable tool for assessing self-efficacy of walking. A ceiling effect was observed that was associated with muscle strength and symptoms of depression. The results of the present study underline the use of the modified gait efficacy scale in the assessment and evaluation of self-efficacy of walking in rehabilitation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2464-2469
Number of pages6
JournalDisability and Rehabilitation
Volume44
Issue number11
Early online date11 Nov 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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