Article

Fear of falling (FoF) after stroke is not well understood. We assessed
change in FoF over the first 6 mo after a stroke and compared 6-mo anxiety,
depression, balance, and quality of life (QoL) scores between people with and
without baseline FoF (at the time of hospital discharge). METHOD: Data for this
longitudinal study were collected at baseline and 6 mo. Of the 28 people included
at baseline, 18 remained in the study 6 mo later. RESULTS: FoF significantly
decreased over time (p = .015). Participants with baseline FoF had higher 6-mo
anxiety and depression scores (s = .002 and .005, respectively) and lower QoL
scores (p < .001) than did those without baseline FoF. CONCLUSION: The results
are suggestive of the need for occupational therapists and their colleagues to
consider anxiety and depression variables in managing the needs of poststroke
participants experiencing FoF.

Langue : ANGLAIS