Effect of fear of falling on turning performance among patients with chronic stroke.
Gait Posture
; 113: 145-150, 2024 Jun 10.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38901386
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Turning difficulties have been reported in stroke persons, but studies have indicated that fall history might not significantly affect turning performance. Fear of falling (FOF) is common after a fall, although it can occur in individuals without a fall history. RESEARCH QUESTION Could FOF have an impact on turning performance among chronic stroke patients?METHODS:
This cross-sectional study recruited 97 stroke persons. They were instructed to perform 180° and 360° turns, and their performance was represented by angular velocity. FOF was evaluated using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Falls that occurred 12 months prior to the study assessment were recorded.RESULTS:
A higher FES-I score was significantly correlated with a decline in angular velocity in all turning tasks after adjustment for demographic data. The correlation remained significant after controlling for falls history. Participants with a high level of FOF exhibited significantly slower angular velocities during all turning tasks compared with those with a low level of FOF. Participants with a moderate level of FOF had a significantly slower angular velocity than did those with a low level of FOF during the 360° turn to the paretic side only.SIGNIFICANCE:
A higher level of FOF, regardless of fall history, was significantly associated with a reduced angular velocity during turning. A high level of FOF affected turning performance in all tasks. Turning performance may not be affected by fall experience. Anxiety about falling may have a greater effect on turning performance than does fall history.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Gait Posture
Journal subject:
ORTOPEDIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Taiwan