Discriminative and Evaluative Properties of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale

Abstract

ABC scores remained stable over 12 months in higher functioning elders, but deteriorated in retirement home residents over 26 weeks. Ten weeks of balance training significantly improved balance confidence, as did hip or knee replacement with standard physical therapy. ABC scores lower than 50 indicated a low level of physical functioning characteristic of home care clients. ABC scores above 50 and lower than 80 indicated a moderate level of functioning characteristic of elders in retirement homes and persons with chronic health conditions. ABC scores above 80 are indicative of highly functioning, usually physically active older adults, and are achievable through exercise and rehabilitative therapies. CONCLUSIONS. Balance confidence is amenable to change and able to distinguish between elders at various levels of functional mobility. These results provide comparative benchmarks for researchers and clinicians working with different groups of older adults.