Translation and validation study of the Chinese version Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale-Short Version (Icon-FES).

Background: The 30-item Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale (Icon-FES) is the first instrument developed to assess older people's concern about falling using pictures. The short version of Icon-FES (10-item Icon-FES) was translated and adapted to a local Chinese version, and its psychometric properties was evaluated in Chinese older people.

Methods: A forward-backward translation procedure was used, followed by an expert panel review to finalize the 10-item Chinese Icon-FES. One hundred and sixteen Hong Kong Chinese older people (65-95 years) were assessed using the 10-item Chinese Icon-FES in conjunction with the Chinese version 7-item Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I (Ch)).

Results: Five of the 10 items in the Icon-FES were modified to achieve the conceptual and cultural relevance in local context. The final Chinese Icon-FES had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.91) and test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient ICC = 0.93). High correlation was found between the Chinese Icon-FES and FES-I (Ch) (r = .75, p < .001). Construct validity was supported by its ability to discriminate between groups related to demographic and fall risk factors.

Conclusions: The Chinese Icon-FES is a valid, efficient and easy-to-use instrument for understanding of local Chinese older people's concerns about falling in Hong Kong.