Article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the
fear of falling, physical performance, and physical characteristics in an elderly
population. This study is a cross-sectional study with 883 community
dwellers 60 yrs or older from a rural area. They completed surveys and
evaluations including demographics, the Korean version of the Falls Efficacy
Scale-International, the Short Physical Performance Battery, the timed up and go
(TUG) test, grip strength, and bone mineral density.
RESULTS: The subjects who
had experienced a fall showed lower physical performance than those who had not
experienced a fall. Regardless of a previous experience of a fall, the score on
the Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International had a positive
correlation with TUG time and negative correlations with the score on the Short
Physical Performance Battery, grip strength, and bone mineral density. Compared
with the group without the fear of falling, the group with the fear of falling
showed a lower score on the Short Physical Performance Battery, longer TUG time,
weaker grip strength, and lower bone mineral density. The subjects with
osteoporosis showed significantly higher scores on the Korean version of the
Falls Efficacy Scale-International. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of falls had a
significant relationship with the fear of falling and physical performance, and
greater fear of falling was related to poorer physical performance, independent
of the experience of falls. This result implies that more attention should be
paid to seniors with the fear of falling and the experience of falls, and
screening and consequent intervention for fall prevention should be warranted in
this population. For this purpose, the TUG test may be recommended as a screening
tool because TUG time reflects the fear of falling and the experience of falls as well as physical performance.
- Chute

Langue : ANGLAIS