Abstract
BackgroundFall-related self-efficacy and gait function are known to be associated. However, whether the interaction between fall-related self-efficacy and gait function affects future falls has not been investigated.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the interaction between fall-related self-efficacy and spatiotemporal gait parameters on the occurrence of falls in community-dwelling older people.MethodsA total of 265 elderly persons (age ≥ 65 years) living independently in the community were recruited. For gait function, spatiotemporal gait parameters at usual and maximum effort paces were measured using a 2.4-m walkway system with embedded pressure sensors. Furthermore, changes in gait parameters between usual and maximum paces were calculated (Δgait parameters). Fall-related self-efficacy was assessed using the short version of the Falls Efficacy Scale International (Short FES-I). The occurrence of falls was prospectively investigated 6 months later. The effect of the interaction between short FES-I and gait parameters on falls was analyzed using logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors.ResultsSeveral gait parameters were significantly different by self-efficacy level. As for the effect of the interaction of fall-related self-efficacy and gait parameters on falls, smaller Δgait parameters in those with high efficacy were associated with higher odds ratios of falls, whereas Δgait parameters in those with low efficacy were not associated with falls.Discussion and conclusionsThe interaction between fall-related self-efficacy and gait function appeared to affect future falls. Assessments combining fall-related self-efficacy and gait function may improve the accuracy of prediction of future falls.
Highlights
Falling is a well-known, representative adverse health event in older people; fall prevention is an indispensable issue for healthcare providers [1]
Body mass index (BMI), physical functions, depressive symptoms, instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) (IADL), medications, and fall history were collected as confounding factors
The associations between fall-related self-efficacy and speed and step length in gait parameters at maximum pace were clarified. These findings agreed with those of previous studies [12,13,14,15]; fallrelated self-efficacy appears to be definitely associated with spatiotemporal gait parameters and to be an index reflecting gait speed, and gait patterns for older people
Summary
Falling is a well-known, representative adverse health event in older people; fall prevention is an indispensable issue for healthcare providers [1]. With respect to the prediction of falls in older people, it has been suggested that an assessment of fall risk by stand-alone measurement of gait speed did not have sufficient sensitivity to discriminate between fallers and non-fallers [9]. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research (2021) 33:2715–2722 non-fallers was reported to be 4 cm/s in a meta-analysis including only prospective studies [9] This mean difference was smaller than the measurement error, which was reported to be 10.8 cm/s in a previous study of gait speed [10]. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the interaction between fall-related self-efficacy and spatiotemporal gait parameters on the occurrence of falls in community-dwelling older people. Assessments combining fall-related self-efficacy and gait function may improve the accuracy of prediction of future falls
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