Journal
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
Volume 36, Issue 9, Pages 744-748Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2013.814722
Keywords
Activities-specific balance confidence scale; balance; fear of falling; gait; Parkinson's disease
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Funding
- National Institute of Health [R01 HD051844]
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Career Development Award-2 [B7878W]
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX
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Purpose: To study the relationship of fear of falling (FoF) with gait characteristics and balance in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Method: Seventy-nine non-demented individuals (62 males) with PD were studied. Their mean age was 69.22 + 8.93 years. The average time since diagnosis was 8.27 +/- 5.31 years. FoF was assessed by the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale in which high scores indicate less FoF. Gait was measured using a computerized walkway. Balance was measured by timed tests including the 5-step test, 360 degree turn, timed sideways walk, and timed up and go test. Participants were divided into two groups based on their ABC score (high FoF, ABC score 569; low FoF, ABC score >= 69). Gait characteristics and balance measures of the two groups were compared. Results: Gait speed and stride length for forward walking (p < 0.0005 for both) and backward walking (p = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively) were lower for those with a high level of FoF compared to those with a low level of FoF. The time to take five steps (p = 0.025), time to turn (p < 0.0005), time to walk sideways (p = 0.001), and time to complete the up and go test (p = 0.003) were longer in those with a high level of FoF than in those with a low level of FoF. Number of steps to complete the turn (p = 0.001) and steps to walk sideways (p = 0.002) were greater in those with a high level of FoF than in those with a low level FoF. Conclusions: Gait and balance of individuals with PD with a high level of FoF were poorer than those with a low level of FoF, regardless of previous fall history.
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