Associations between fear of falling and functional balance in older adults

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between fear of falling and the performance of common functional balance tasks in older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 43 older adults (mean age=78.8, SD=7.5) from a senior living facility. Fear of falling was assessed using a single-item question. Fourteen functional balance tasks of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), gait speed and the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test were evaluated and compared between the fearful and non-fearful older adults. Findings: Compared to the non-fearful older adults (mean=52.2, SD=3.0), the fearful older adults scored lower on BBS (mean=47.7, SD=6.2) (P<0.05). The fearful older adults had poorer performance on three functional balance tasks including sitting to standing, turning to look behind over the left and right shoulders while standing, and placing alternate feet on a step while standing unsupported (P<0.05). Conclusions: Poorer performance of specific functional balance tasks (sitting to standing, weight shifting in standing, and stepping up and down) was observed among fearful older adults. Incorporation of these functional balance tasks into intervention may help fearful older adults perform balance-related activities more confidently and thus prevent or delay the undesirable consequences of the fear of falling.