Self-efficacy and the progression of functional limitations and self-reported disability in older adults with knee pain

Objectives. The prospective relationships between self-efficacy beliefs, in conjunction with measures of knee pain and knee strength, and subsequent decline in both physical performance and self-reported disability among older adults with knee pain were examined. Methods. In this prospective epidemiological trial, 480 men and women aged 65 years and older who had knee pain on most days of the week and difficulty with daily activity were followed for 30 months. Results. There was a significant interaction of baseline self-efficacy with baseline knee strength in predicting both self-reported disability and stair climb performance. Participants who had low self-efficacy and low strength at baseline had the largest 30-month decline in these outcomes. Discussion. These data underscore the important role that self-efficacy beliefs play in understanding functional decline with chronic disease and aging. Self-efficacy beliefs appear to be most important to functional decline in older adults when they are challenged by muscular weakness in the lower extremities.