![]() The FES-I shortened version consists of items from the FES-I original. 25 The original FES-I was chosen for the study as both the short and longer tests have excellent reliability and validity, but the FES-I is better established. 18- 24 Recently, the Dutch short version of the FES-I was used to quantify fear of falling in persons with bilateral vestibular hypofunction. 17 Since 2005, the FES-I has been translated and validated in 6 languages other than English. The Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) was developed for use in various cultures to quantify fear of falling. ![]() 12- 16 Determining falls efficacy, impairments due to dizziness, and also the ability to ambulate safely in persons with vestibular disorders is important in all cultures. 8- 11 Difficulty with walking in stores, car travel, walking, and activity avoidance are common in persons with vestibular disorders. 7 Limitations in activities and participation in the community plus negative changes in quality of life have been associated with vestibular disorders. 7 The authors noted that a history of falls, age ≥65, walking speed, grip strength, and osteoarthritis of the knee were related to higher numbers of fall incidents in the women studied (n=707). 6 In post-menopausal women in Saudi Arabia, risk factors for falls were studied but subjects were not questioned regarding vertigo or dizziness. Reports of falling are much higher in persons with bilateral vestibular disorders compared to unilateral hypofunction. ![]() 4 In a recent report from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States, 5 people with reports of dizziness were 12 times more likely to have fallen within the last 12 months. 3 The Bruininks-Oseretsky tool, which is a balance measure used in children, has also been validated in Arabic. Several balance and vestibular outcome measures have been translated into Arabic for use with adults with balance and vestibular disorders including the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), 1 the Vestibular Activity and Participation measure (VAP), 2 and the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). Reliable and valid measures to assess persons with balance and vestibular disorders are important to determine change and to objectify the person’s perceived disability. ![]()
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