Content Validity of a Korean-Translated Version of a Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study were to translate the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale into Korean and to verify the content validity by utilizing a back-translation method with a view to assessing balance function and the risk of falling in a clinical research setting. This research was conducted in six steps. First, three Korean physical therapists translated the FAB scale into Korean. Second, two bilingual professors of physical therapy and a physical therapist evaluated translation conformity of Korean-translated FAB scale. In the third and fourth steps, twelve physical therapists evaluated the degree of translation comprehension, and a translator back-translated the Korean FAB scale into the original language. Fifth, a bilingual professor of physical therapy and two native speakers evaluated the technical and conceptual equivalence between the original and translation versions. In this process, inappropriate translated items were revised using recommended substitute words or sentences, and all items were evaluated on the basis of three points or more on a rating scale in terms of translation comprehension, and the technical and conceptual equivalence of the back-translation. In the sixth and last step, the translation verification committee completed the final Korean version. The above process indicated that the content validity of the Korean-translated FAB scale was established by means of systematic translation methods, and it can therefore be used to assess balance function and the risk of falls in a clinical research setting.