Validation and reliability of the frontal assesment battery (FAB) in Turkish; [Frontal deǧerlendirme bataryasi{dotless}ni{dotless}n (FDB) Türkçede geçerlilik ve güvenilirliǧi]

Tunçay N.; Kayserili G.; Eser E.; Zorlu Y.; Akdede B.B.; Yener G.

Validation and reliability of the frontal assesment battery (FAB) in Turkish; [Frontal deǧerlendirme bataryasi{dotless}ni{dotless}n (FDB) Türkçede geçerlilik ve güvenilirliǧi]

Date

2013

Authors

Abstract

Scientific background: The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) test is a short test aiming to assess frontal lobe functions. It is composed of 6 items that give a total possible score between 0 and 18. The items include assessing the ability to find similarities between objects, categorical verbal fluency, resistance to interference, a simple go-no go paradigm, and peripheral autonomy. A higher score denotes better performance. Purpose: To determine the validity and reliability of the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Frontal Assessment Battery Method: The Turkish FAB was evaluated in 94 cases with diverse neuro-psychological conditions and in 92 healthy controls. Translation and back-translations of Turkish were done. In addition to FAB, the respondents completed a Standardized Mini Mental assessment scale, Stroop scale and a brief sociodemographic questionnaire. Reliability analysis involved testretest reliability and internal consistency (alpha), whereas validity analysis involved factor analysis, convergent validity approach, known groups and criterion validity tests, and sensitivity analysis. Parametric and non-parametric correlations, T tests and ANOVA were used during these analyses. Findings: The alpha value was sufficient (α=0.73) for FAB but the alpha value decreased when the 6th item was deleted, indicating a problem with this item, as also confirmed by the factor solution. The fewer the years of education, the worse the FAB scale scores (p<0.001); men scored higher than women in a few items (mental flexibility, sensitivity to interference, and inhibitory control). The relationship between FAB and the Standardized Mini Mental Test (0.765, p<0.000) and Stroop scores indicated.