© 1997 Oxford University Press
research-article |
Fear of falling and restriction of mobility in elderly fallers
1Clinical Nutrition Program, Center for Population Health, University of New Mexico School of Medicine Room 215 Surgery Building, 2701 Frontier Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
2Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology (Professor J.-L Albarede), World Health Organisation Collaborative Center to Promote the Safety of Aged Individuals CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France
Address correspondence to: P. J. Garry. Fax: (+1) 505 272 9135
OBJECTIVES:: to identify the characteristics of elderly persons who develop a fear of falling after experiencing a fall and to investigate the association of this fear with changes in health status over time.
DESIGN:: a prospective study of falls over a 2-year period (1991–92). Falls were ascertained using bimonthly postcards plus telephone interview with a standardized (World Health Organisation) questionnaire for circumstances, fear of falling and consequences of each reported fall. Each participant underwent a physical exam and subjective health assessment each year from 1990 to 1993.
SETTING:: New-Mexico Aging Process Study, USA
SUBJECTS:: 487 elderly subjects (> 60 years) living independently in the community.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: fear of falling after experiencing a fall.
RESULTS:: 70 (32%) of 219 subjects who experienced a fall during the 2 year study period reported a fear of falling. Women were more likely than men to report fear of falling (74% vs 26%). Fallers who were afraid of falling again had significantly more balance (31.9% vs 12.8%) and gait disorders (31.9% vs 7.4%) at entry in the study in 1990. Among sex, age, mental status, balance and gait abnormalities, economic resource and physical health, logistic regression analysis show gait abnormalities and poor self-perception of physical health, cognitive status and economic resources to be significandy associated with fear of falling. Subjects who reported a fear of falling experienced a greater increase in balance (P = 0.08), gait (JP > 0.01) and cognitive disorders (P = 0.09) over time, resulting in a decrease in mobility level.
CONCLUSION:: the study indicated that about one-third of elderly people develop a fear of falling after an incident fall and this issue should be specifically addressed in any rehabilitation programme.
Keywords: falling, fear of falling, mobility
accepted in revised form September 29, 1996.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  R. Boyd and J. A. Stevens Falls and fear of falling: burden, beliefs and behaviours Age Ageing, July 1, 2009; 38(4): 423 - 428. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C.-L. Curcio, F. Gomez, and C. A. Reyes-Ortiz Activity Restriction Related to Fear of Falling Among Older People in the Colombian Andes Mountains: Are Functional or Psychosocial Risk Factors More Important? J Aging Health, June 1, 2009; 21(3): 460 - 479. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Wagner, H. Melhus, R. Gedeborg, N. L. Pedersen, and K. Michaelsson Simply Ask Them About Their Balance--Future Fracture Risk in a Nationwide Cohort Study of Twins Am. J. Epidemiol., January 15, 2009; 169(2): 143 - 149. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. X. Marquez, E. E. Bustamante, B. J. Blissmer, and T. R. Prohaska Health Promotion for Successful Aging American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, January 1, 2009; 3(1): 12 - 19. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. B Talkowski, J. S Brach, S. Studenski, and A. B Newman Impact of Health Perception, Balance Perception, Fall History, Balance Performance, and Gait Speed on Walking Activity in Older Adults Physical Therapy, December 1, 2008; 88(12): 1474 - 1481. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Ziden, C.-G. Wenestam, and M. Hansson-Scherman A life-breaking event: early experiences of the consequences of a hip fracture for elderly people Clinical Rehabilitation, September 1, 2008; 22(9): 801 - 811. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Self-Reported Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among Persons Aged >=65 Years--United States, 2006 JAMA, April 9, 2008; 299(14): 1658 - 1659. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. C. Scheffer, M. J. Schuurmans, N. van Dijk, T. van der Hooft, and S. E. de Rooij Fear of falling: measurement strategy, prevalence, risk factors and consequences among older persons Age Ageing, January 1, 2008; 37(1): 19 - 24. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. A. R. Zijlstra, J. C. M. van Haastregt, J. Th. M. van Eijk, E. van Rossum, P. A. Stalenhoef, and G. I. J. M. Kempen Prevalence and correlates of fear of falling, and associated avoidance of activity in the general population of community-living older people Age Ageing, May 1, 2007; 36(3): 304 - 309. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. C. Ruthig, J. G. Chipperfield, N. E. Newall, R. P. Perry, and N. C. Hall Detrimental Effects of Falling on Health and Well-being in Later Life: The Mediating Roles of Perceived Control and Optimism J Health Psychol, March 1, 2007; 12(2): 231 - 248. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. R. Lim, R. C. Huang, A. Wu, F. P. Girardi, and F. P. Cammisa Jr Evaluation of the Elderly Patient With an Abnormal Gait J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., February 1, 2007; 15(2): 107 - 117. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. J. Taylor and M. Donnelly Professional Perspectives on Decision Making about the Long-term Care of Older People Br. J. Soc. Work, July 1, 2006; 36(5): 807 - 826. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. G. Carpenter, A. L. Adkin, L. R. Brawley, and J. S. Frank Postural, physiological and psychological reactions to challenging balance: does age make a difference? Age Ageing, May 1, 2006; 35(3): 298 - 303. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Y. Laufer, Y. Barak, and I. Chemel Age-related differences in the effect of a perceived threat to stability on postural control. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., May 1, 2006; 61(5): 500 - 504. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. A. Quandt, J. M. Stafford, R. A. Bell, S. L. Smith, B. M. Snively, and T. A. Arcury Predictors of falls in a multiethnic population of older rural adults with diabetes. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., April 1, 2006; 61(4): 394 - 398. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Alarcon, J. I. Gonzalez-Montalvo, A. Barcena, and P. Gotor Post-fall syndrome: a matter to study in patients with hip fractures admitted to orthopaedic wards Age Ageing, March 1, 2006; 35(2): 205 - 206. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. A. Bischoff-Ferrari, E. J. Orav, and B. Dawson-Hughes Effect of cholecalciferol plus calcium on falling in ambulatory older men and women: a 3-year randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med, February 27, 2006; 166(4): 424 - 430. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. E. Chamberlin, B. D. Fulwider, S. L. Sanders, and J. M. Medeiros Does Fear of Falling Influence Spatial and Temporal Gait Parameters in Elderly Persons Beyond Changes Associated With Normal Aging? J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., September 1, 2005; 60(9): 1163 - 1167. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 F. Li, K. J. Fisher, P. Harmer, and E. McAuley Falls Self-Efficacy as a Mediator of Fear of Falling in an Exercise Intervention for Older Adults J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., May 1, 2005; 60(1): P34 - P40. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M.-M. G. Wilson, D. K. Miller, E. M. Andresen, T. K. Malmstrom, J. P. Miller, and F. D. Wolinsky Fear of Falling and Related Activity Restriction Among Middle-Aged African Americans J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., March 1, 2005; 60(3): 355 - 360. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. G. Carpenter, J. S. Frank, A. L. Adkin, A. Paton, and J.H.J. Allum Influence of Postural Anxiety on Postural Reactions to Multi-Directional Surface Rotations J Neurophysiol, December 1, 2004; 92(6): 3255 - 3265. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Hatch, K. M Gill-Body, and L. G Portney Determinants of Balance Confidence in Community-Dwelling Elderly People Physical Therapy, December 1, 2003; 83(12): 1072 - 1079. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. L. Murphy, J. A. Dubin, and T. M. Gill The Development of Fear of Falling Among Community-Living Older Women: Predisposing Factors and Subsequent Fall Events J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., October 1, 2003; 58(10): M943 - 947. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Li, K. J. Fisher, P. Harmer, E. McAuley, and N. L. Wilson Fear of Falling in Elderly Persons: Association With Falls, Functional Ability, and Quality of Life J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., September 1, 2003; 58(5): P283 - 290. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. E. Morley Editorial: A Fall Is a Major Event in the Life of an Older Person J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., August 1, 2002; 57(8): M492 - 495. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Legters Fear of Falling Physical Therapy, March 1, 2002; 82(3): 264 - 272. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Yardley and H. Smith A Prospective Study of the Relationship Between Feared Consequences of Falling and Avoidance of Activity in Community-Living Older People Gerontologist, February 1, 2002; 42(1): 17 - 23. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Jorgensen, T. Engstad, and B. K. Jacobsen Higher Incidence of Falls in Long-Term Stroke Survivors Than in Population Controls: Depressive Symptoms Predict Falls After Stroke Stroke, February 1, 2002; 33(2): 542 - 547. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. C. Baldwin, S. W. Stevenson, and G. A. Dudley Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Therapy After Eccentric Exercise in Healthy Older Individuals J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., August 1, 2001; 56(8): M510 - 513. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. Akner and T. Cederholm Treatment of protein-energy malnutrition in chronic nonmalignant disorders Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2001; 74(1): 6 - 24. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Nourhashemi, S. Andrieu, S. Gillette-Guyonnet, B. Vellas, J. L. Albarede, and H. Grandjean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living as a Potential Marker of Frailty: A Study of 7364 Community-Dwelling Elderly Women (the EPIDOS Study) J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., July 1, 2001; 56(7): M448 - 453. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Wolf, H. Feys, W. De Weerdt, J. van der Meer, M. Noom, and G. Aufdemkampe Effect of a physical therapeutic intervention for balance problems in the elderly: A single-blind, randomized, controlled multicentre trial Clinical Rehabilitation, June 1, 2001; 15(6): 624 - 636. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. A Stalenhoef, J. P. Diederiks, J A. Knottnerus, L. P de Witte, and H. F. Crebolder The construction of a patient record-based risk model for recurrent falls among elderly people living in the community Fam. Pract., December 1, 2000; 17(6): 490 - 496. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. G. Cumming, G. Salkeld, M. Thomas, and G. Szonyi Prospective Study of the Impact of Fear of Falling on Activities of Daily Living, SF-36 Scores, and Nursing Home Admission J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., May 1, 2000; 55(5): 299M - 305. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|