Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Measurement Properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese Version of the Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire in Older Adults

The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire (FFABQ) into Brazilian-Portuguese (FFABQ-B), and to examine its reliability and validity in Brazilian older adults. The FFABQ-B was translated and tested in 10 Brazilian older adults. We assessed 52 community-dwellers, 68.7 (+/- 6.2) years, using the FFABQ-B, BERG Balance Scale, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Falls Efficacy Scale, 6-Minute Walk Test, Timed Up and Go test, and activity monitor. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and floor and ceiling effects were analyzed. The FFABQ-B had adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha =.90) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient =.81; 95% confidence interval [.68,.90]). The FFABQ-B was associated with 6-Minute Walk Test, Timed Up and Go, BERG Balance Scale, physical activity time (p <.05), Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, and Falls Efficacy Scale (p <.001). The FFABQ-B is both reliable and valid to assess avoidance behavior in activities and participation due to fear of falling in Brazilian community-dwelling older adults.