A domain-specific approach to characterizing balance confidence post-stroke

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the construct of balance confidence, as measured by the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, consists of three factors in those with chronic stroke. DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of preexisting data from a research registry. SETTING: Academic institution. PARTICIPANTS: 248 community-dwelling adults with a history of one or more strokes, verified by CT/MRI report or past provider. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We proposed that the ABC-scale items comprise three balance confidence domains: 1) anticipatory control, 2) walking balance, and 3) reactive balance. We assigned ABC Q1,2,8,10-12 to walking balance, Q3-7,9 to anticipatory control, and Q13-16 to reactive balance. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test this hypothesized structure, with outcomes including the Goodness-of-Fit indices (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and Tucker-Lewis Fit Index (TLI)). RESULTS: All indicators significantly loaded as hypothesized. CONCLUSION(S): These results suggest that the items in the ABC scale represent three domains of anticipatory control, walking balance, and reactive balance.