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Assessment and Fear of Falling

Fear of falling and activities of daily living function: mediation effect of dual-task ability

, , , &
Pages 856-861 | Received 12 Jan 2016, Accepted 06 Apr 2017, Published online: 09 May 2017
 

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the association between fear of falling (FOF), dual-task ability during a mobility task, and the activities of daily living (ADL) in a sample of older adults.

Methods: Seventy-six older adults (mean age M = 70.87 ± 5.16 years) participated in the study. Data on FOF (using the Falls Self-Efficacy Scale-International), walking ability during both single- and dual-task performances and ADL were collected.

Results: Mediation analysis demonstrated the mediation effect of dual-task ability (β = 0.238, p = 0.011) between FOF and ADL level (β = 0.559, p < 0.001). Moreover, significantly lower performances were observed during dual-task condition [F (2, 73) = 7.386, p < 0.001], and lower ADL levels were also found in older adults with FOF [F (2, 73) = 13.734, p < 0.001].

Conclusion: The study underlines the relationship between FOF, dual-task ability and ADL level. These results could be used to develop specific intervention programmes for successful ageing.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to express their gratitude to all the participants of the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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