Fear of falling and changed functional ability following hip fracture among community-dwelling elderly people: an explanatory sequential mixed method study
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
PURPOSE: The aims of the study were to assess self-reported fear of falling (FOF) and functional ability among community-dwelling elderly people 3-6 months post hospital discharge after a hip fracture, to investigate the association between FOF and functional ability, and to explore the lived experience of FOF and disability when recovering from a hip fracture.
METHOD: A sequential explanatory mixed method design was used in a "face-to-face" survey assessing FOF (Falls Efficacy Scale-International, FES-I), avoidance of activities (Modified survey of Activities and Fear of Falling, mSAFFE), functional ability (Functional Recovery Score, FRS), and mobility (New Mobility Score, NMS) followed by in-depth interviews of four participants. Interviews were analyzed using systematic text condensation.
RESULTS: Among the 33 participants 58% had a high degree of FOF and avoided more activities, needed more assistance in activities of daily living, and were less mobile than participants who had a low degree of FOF (p < 0.0001). According to the informants FOF reduced their functional ability and seriously altered their lives.
CONCLUSIONS: FOF was common and significantly associated with activity avoidance, disability, and affected the lives of elderly recovering from a hip fracture. Some patients were physically incapacitated by FOF.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Journal | Disability and Rehabilitation |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 25 |
Pages (from-to) | 2124-31 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0963-8288 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
- Accidental Falls, Activities of Daily Living/psychology, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Fear/psychology, Female, Hip Fractures/complications, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Logistic Models, Male, Motor Activity, Qualitative Research, Quality of Life, Risk Factors, Self Report, Socioeconomic Factors, Surveys and Questionnaires, Time Factors
Research areas
ID: 253136253