Rasch Analysis of the Korean Version of the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale

• Published in: Han'guk Chŏnmun Mulli Ch'iryo Hakhoe chi = Journal of the Korean Academy of University Trained Physical Therapists Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 20 - 28
• Main Authors: Jeon, Yong-jin, Kim, Gyoung-mo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한국전문물리치료학회 15.11.2017
• Subjects: 물리치료학
• ISSN: 1225-8962; 2287-982X
• DOI: 10.12674/ptk.2017.24.4.020

Background: Rasch analysis has the advantage of placing both the items and the person along a single ratio scale and calibrates person ability and item difficulty onto an interval scale by logits. Therefore, Rasch analysis has been recommended as a better method for evaluating functional outcome questionnaires than traditional analyses. Objects: The aim of current study was to investigate item fit, item difficulty, rating scale, and separation index of the Korean version of the Fullerton Advanced Balance (KFAB) scale using Rasch analysis. Methods: In total, 93 patients with stroke (male=58, female=35) participated in this study. To investigate the item fit, difficulty, rating scale, and separation index of the KFAB scale, Rasch analysis was completed by the Winsteps software program. Results: In this study, all items of the KFAB scale were included in the Rasch model. The most difficult item was ‘standing with feet together and eyes closed’, and the easiest item was ‘two-footed jump’. The rating scale was a 4-point scale instead of the original 5-point scale. Person and item separation indices showed high values that can identify a person with a wide range of balance ability. Conclusion: The KFAB scale appears to be a reliable and valid tool to assess balance function in patients with stroke. Furthermore, the scale was found to discriminate among stroke patients of varying balance abilities. KCI Citation Count: 0