Psychological, Physical, and Sensory Correlates of Fear of Falling and Consequent Activity Restriction in the Elderly

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the fear of falling and restriction of activities in the elderly of the city of Londrina (PR). Materials and method A cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals over 60 years old of both sexes. They were interviewed at their home with the Falls Efficacy Scale International - Brazil the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly a socio-demographic and health perception questionnaire. Results The participants were 38 elderly people (mean age 71.6 ± 6.1 years) with a prevalence of women (68.4%). The occurrence of a fall in the last year was reported by 44.7% of the elderly, and the prevalence of the fear of falling again by 56.3%. In the evaluation of the Falls Efficacy Scale, 97.4% of participants reported fear of falling in at least one of the activities while 55.3% had score ≥ 23 points showing high risk for falls. Fifty two percent of the elders restricted their activity due the fear of falling. Conclusion These results show a high frequency of fear of falling associated with restriction of activities and individuals with a high risk potential for falls. The evaluation of this data contributes to establishing indicators and development of preventive strategies and specific interventions for the elderly with fear of falling.

Download Full-text

On the Nature of Fear of Falling in Parkinson’s Disease

Behavioural Neurology ◽

10.1155/2011/274539 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 219-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

S. Rahman ◽

H. J. Griffin ◽

N. P. Quinn ◽

M. Jahanshahi

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Clinical Importance ◽

The Elderly ◽

Activity Restriction ◽

Activity Avoidance ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Perceived Consequences

In the elderly, fear of falling (FoF) can lead to activity restriction and affect quality of life (QoL). Our aim was to identify the characteristics of FoF in Parkinson's disease and assess its impact on QoL. We assessed FoF in 130 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) on scales measuring perceived self-efficacy in performing a range of activities (FES), perceived consequences of falling (CoF), and activity avoidance (SAFFE). A significant difference was found in FoF between PD patients who had previously fallen and those who had not and between frequent and infrequent fallers. Patient-rated disability significantly influenced FoF. Difficulty in rising from a chair, difficulty turning, start hesitation, festination, loss of balance, and shuffling were the specific mobility problems which were associated with greater FoF in PD. Disability was the main predictor of FoF, additionally depression predicted perceived consequences of falling, while anxiety predicted activity avoidance. The FoF measures explained 65% of the variance of QoL in PD, highlighting the clinical importance of FoF. These results have implications for the clinical management of FoF in PD.

Download Full-text

Associations between fear of falling and activity restriction and late life depression in the elderly population: Findings from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing (TILDA)

Journal of Psychosomatic Research ◽

10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110506 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 110506

Author(s):

Qian Yao ◽

Wenyi Jin ◽

Yan Li

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Late Life ◽

The Elderly ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

Activity Restriction

Download Full-text

Fear of Falling, Recurrence of Falls, and Quality of Life in Patients with a Low Energy Fracture—Part II of an Observational Study

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57060584 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (6) ◽

pp. 584

Author(s):

Puck C. R. van der Vet ◽

Jip Q. Kusen ◽

Manuela Rohner-Spengler ◽

Björn-Christian Link ◽

Roderick M. Houwert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Low Energy ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Activity Restriction ◽

One Year ◽

Falls In Elderly

Background and objective: Falls in elderly cause injury, mortality, and loss of independence, making Fear of Falling (FoF) a common health problem. FoF relates to activity restriction and increased fall risk. A voluntary intervention including fall risk assessment and prevention strategies was implemented to reduce falls in elderly patients with low energy fractures (LEF). The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate FoF and the number of subsequent falls in trauma patients one year after a LEF. The secondary aim was to examine how FoF affects patients’ lives in terms of Quality of Life (QoL), mobility, and activity levels. Finally, participation in the voluntary fall prevention program (FPP) was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Observational cohort study in one Swiss trauma center. LEF patients, treated between 2012 and 2015, were analyzed one year after injury. Primary outcomes were Falls-Efficacy Score-International (FES-I) and number of subsequent falls. Secondary outcomes were EuroQoL-5-Dimensions-3-Levels (EQ5D-3L), mobility, activity levels, and participation in the FPP. Subgroup analysis was performed for different age categories. Results: 411 patients were included for analysis. Mean age was 72 ± 9.3, mean FES-I was 21.1 ± 7.7. Forty percent experienced FoF. A significant negative correlation between FoF and QoL (R = 0.64; p < 0.001) was found. High FoF correlated with lower activity levels (R= −0.288; p < 0.001). Six percent visited the FPP. Conclusions: At follow-up, 40% suffered from FoF which seems to negatively affect patients’ QoL. Nevertheless, participation in the FPP was low. Simply informing patients about their susceptibility to falls and recommending participation in FPPs seems insufficient to motivate and recruit patients into FPPs. We suggest implementing repeated fall risk- and FoF screenings as standard procedures in the follow-up of LEF, especially in patients aged over 75 years.

Download Full-text

Fall-Related Activity Avoidance among Persons with Late Effects of Polio and Its Influence on Daily Life: A Mixed-Methods Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18137202 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 7202

Author(s):

Christina Brogårdh ◽

Jan Lexell ◽

Catharina Sjödahl Hammarlund

Keyword(s):

Late Effects ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Daily Life ◽

The Elderly ◽

Management Program ◽

Strategic Thinking ◽

Related Activity ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Activity Avoidance ◽

Social Events

Falls are common among persons with late effects of polio (LEoP), which may lead to fear of falling and activity avoidance in everyday life. Here, we assessed the occurrence of fall-related activity avoidance among persons with LEoP and explored how these experiences influenced daily life. Fourteen ambulatory persons (seven women; mean age 70 years) with LEoP participated. They responded to the modified Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (mSAFFE) and participated in individual interviews, which were analysed by systematic text condensation. Each quotation was deductively analysed from its representation with regard to mSAFFE. We found that many persons often avoided activities related to standing and walking, for example, taking a bath, performing household chores, walking outdoors, attending social events if there were stairs in the building and travelling by public transport, due to fear of falling, increased pain and fatigability. To facilitate the performance of daily activities participants expressed that strategic thinking and aids were important to use. In conclusion, fall-related activity avoidance is common in persons with LEoP, which negatively influence daily life and social participation. To increase daily functioning in this population, fall-related activity avoidance should be included in a multifaceted fall management program.

Download Full-text

Participation in Two Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs by Adults Aging With a Long-Term Disability: Case-Control Study of Reach and Effectiveness

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264318808918 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (10_suppl) ◽

pp. 39S-67S ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thomas J. Eagen ◽

Salom M. Teshale ◽

Angelica P. Herrera-Venson ◽

Anne Ordway ◽

Joe Caldwell

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Prevention Programs ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Case Control ◽

Falls Prevention ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Activity Restriction ◽

Increased Risk

Objective: Adults aging with a long-term disability (LTD) are at an increased risk for falls. The Older Americans Act Title III-D and Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) support several organizations to deliver falls prevention evidence-based programs designed to reduce risk factors; however, little is understood about the reach and effectiveness of these fall prevention programs for those with LTD compared to those without LTD. This study compared the reach and effectiveness of two evidence-based falls prevention programs between older adults with and without LTD. Method: Using a matched case-control design, 105 LTD older adults enrolled in A Matter of Balance (AMOB) or Stepping On were matched to 315 non-LTD older adults on age, sex, race, and education. Results: On average, LTD older adults attended a higher number of class sessions and were significantly more likely to complete the program compared with the matched-sample of non-LTD older adults. LTD older adults were equally likely as non-LTD older adults to report significant reductions in self-reported fear of falling, falls-related activity restriction, and improvement in falls self-efficacy following completion of the programs. Discussion: These findings provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of these evidence-based falls prevention programs for LTD older adults; however, more research is needed to extend these findings.

Download Full-text