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Gonçalves C, Alves Freitas M, Lena Mendrano A, Franciny de Souza L, Coan Fontanela L, de Souza Moreira B, Danielewicz AL, de Avelar NCP. Are history of falls and fear of falling associated with mobility in community-dwelling older adults? Physiother Theory Pract 2024; 40:1421-1427. [PMID: 36971200 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2023.2188941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Evidence has suggested that a history of falls and fear of falling (FOF) are associated with reduced mobility among older adults. Although many studies have explored the association between the history of falls and FOF in the context of decreased mobility, most have had small sample sizes, limiting the generalizability of the results. Therefore, this study sought to contribute to the body of knowledge around these constructs to further support the previous findings. To investigate the association between a history of falls and FOF with low mobility in community-dwelling older adults. This cross-sectional study included 308 older adults (69.9 ± 7.1 years, 57.8% female). The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to classify mobility limitations in participants and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International - Brazil was used to quantify FOF. Participants were also asked if they had fallen in the previous 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression was used. The prevalence rates of a history of falls and FOF were 32.7 and 48.4%, respectively. Older adults with a history of falls and FOF had 2.20 (95%CI: 1.20; 4.02) and 3.80 (95%CI: 1.90; 7.58) greater odds of presenting low mobility than older adults without these health problems, respectively. History of falls and FOF are associated with higher odds of low mobility in community-dwelling older adults. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to introduce public health programs aimed at preventing falls in older adults to reduce possible adverse health outcomes, including low mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Gonçalves
- Department of Health Sciences, Campus Araranguá, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Araranguá, SC, Brazil
| | - Mariana Alves Freitas
- Department of Health Sciences, Campus Araranguá, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Araranguá, SC, Brazil
| | - Amanda Lena Mendrano
- Department of Health Sciences, Campus Araranguá, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Araranguá, SC, Brazil
| | - Larissa Franciny de Souza
- Department of Health Sciences, Campus Araranguá, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Araranguá, SC, Brazil
| | - Laís Coan Fontanela
- Department of Health Sciences, Campus Araranguá, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Araranguá, SC, Brazil
| | - Bruno de Souza Moreira
- Center for Studies in Public Health, Aging of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia Danielewicz
- Department of Health Sciences, Campus Araranguá, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Araranguá, SC, Brazil
- Department of Health Sciences, Campus Araranguá, Post-Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Araranguá, SC, Brazil
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Park C, Atique MMU, Mishra R, Najafi B. Association between Fall History and Gait, Balance, Physical Activity, Depression, Fear of Falling, and Motor Capacity: A 6-Month Follow-Up Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10785. [PMID: 36078500 PMCID: PMC9517805 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Maintaining function in older adults is key to the quality of life and longevity. This study examined the potential impact of falls on accelerating further deterioration over time in gait, balance, physical activity, depression, fear of falling, and motor capacity in older adults. 163 ambulatory older adults (age = 76.5 ± 7.7 years) participated and were followed for 6 months. They were classified into fallers or non-fallers based on a history of falling within the past year. At baseline and 6 months, all participants were objectively assessed for gait, balance, and physical activity using wearable sensors. Additional assessments included psychosocial concerns (depression and fear of falling) and motor capacity (Timed Up and Go test). The fallers showed lower gait performance, less physical activity, lower depression level, higher fear of falling, and less motor capacity than non-fallers at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Results also revealed acceleration in physical activity and motor capacity decline compared to non-fallers at a 6-month follow-up. Our findings suggest that falls would accelerate deterioration in both physical activity and motor performance and highlight the need for effective therapy to reduce the consequences of falls in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Park
- Interdisciplinary Consortium on Advanced Motion Performance (iCAMP), Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- VA’s Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D), Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Big Data Scientist Training Enhancement Program, VA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC 20420, USA
| | - Md Moin Uddin Atique
- Interdisciplinary Consortium on Advanced Motion Performance (iCAMP), Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ramkinker Mishra
- Interdisciplinary Consortium on Advanced Motion Performance (iCAMP), Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bijan Najafi
- Interdisciplinary Consortium on Advanced Motion Performance (iCAMP), Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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