OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of fear of falling (FoF) in patients after a hip fracture, to investigate the relation with time after fracture, and to assess associations between FoF and other psychological factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study performed between September 2010 and March 2011 in elderly patients after a hip fracture. SETTING: Ten postacute geriatric rehabilitation wards in Dutch nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 100 patients aged ≥65 years with a hip fracture admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation ward. MEASUREMENTS: FoF and related concepts such as falls-related self-efficacy, depression, and anxiety were measured by means of self-assessment instruments. RESULTS: Of all patients, 36% had a little FoF and 27% had quite a bit or very much FoF. Scores on the Falls Efficacy Scale-International were 30.6 in the first 4 weeks after hip fracture, 35.6 in the second 4 weeks, and 29.4 in the period ≥8 weeks after fracture. In these 3 periods, the prevalence rates of FoF were 62%, 68%, and 59%, respectively. Significant correlations were found between FoF and anxiety (P < .001), and self-efficacy (P < .001). CONCLUSION: In these patients with a hip fracture, FoF is common and is correlated with anxiety and falls-related self-efficacy. During rehabilitation, FoF is greatest in the second 4 weeks after hip fracture. More studies are needed to explore the determinants of FoF and develop interventions to reduce FoF and improve outcome after rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of fear of falling (FoF) in patients after a hip fracture, to investigate the relation with time after fracture, and to assess associations between FoF and other psychological factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study performed between September 2010 and March 2011 in elderly patients after a hip fracture. SETTING: Ten postacute geriatric rehabilitation wards in Dutch nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 100 patients aged ≥65 years with a hip fracture admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation ward. MEASUREMENTS: FoF and related concepts such as falls-related self-efficacy, depression, and anxiety were measured by means of self-assessment instruments. RESULTS: Of all patients, 36% had a little FoF and 27% had quite a bit or very much FoF. Scores on the Falls Efficacy Scale-International were 30.6 in the first 4 weeks after hip fracture, 35.6 in the second 4 weeks, and 29.4 in the period ≥8 weeks after fracture. In these 3 periods, the prevalence rates of FoF were 62%, 68%, and 59%, respectively. Significant correlations were found between FoF and anxiety (P < .001), and self-efficacy (P < .001). CONCLUSION: In these patients with a hip fracture, FoF is common and is correlated with anxiety and falls-related self-efficacy. During rehabilitation, FoF is greatest in the second 4 weeks after hip fracture. More studies are needed to explore the determinants of FoF and develop interventions to reduce FoF and improve outcome after rehabilitation.
Authors: Emily S Bower; Julie Loebach Wetherell; C Caroline Merz; Andrew J Petkus; Vanessa L Malcarne; Eric J Lenze Journal: Int Psychogeriatr Date: 2014-07-31 Impact factor: 3.878
Authors: Maaike N Scheffers-Barnhoorn; Jolanda C M van Haastregt; Jos M G A Schols; Gertrudis I J M Kempen; Romke van Balen; Jan H M Visschedijk; Wilbert B van den Hout; Eve M Dumas; Wilco P Achterberg; Monica van Eijk Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2017-03-20 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Maaike N Scheffers-Barnhoorn; Monica van Eijk; Jos M G A Schols; Romke van Balen; Gertrudis I J M Kempen; Wilco P Achterberg; Jolanda C M van Haastregt Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2021-04-01 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Jan H M Visschedijk; Monique A A Caljouw; Eduard Bakkers; Romke van Balen; Wilco P Achterberg Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2015-12-04 Impact factor: 3.921