Multifactor analysis for risk factors involved in the fear of falling in patients with chronic stroke from mainland China

Abstract

Objective:

To analyze the risk factors involved in FOF in patients with chronic stroke from mainland China.

Methods:

A cohort of 245 patients with chronic stroke were included in this study. Fear of falling severity was assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. Physical function was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), and the lower extremity of Fugl-Meyer Assessment. Psychosocial function was assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Social Support Rating Scale, respectively. All factors related to FOF severity were analyzed by regression analysis.

Results:

Statistically significant factors affecting FOF severity included age, history of falling, balance, functional mobility, economic burden, and depression. Participants with a history of falls (N = 81) were divided into high (score ≥ 70, N = 19) and low ABC score (score < 70, N = 62) groups. Compared with the low ABC score group, the high ABC score group had higher BBS scores, and lower CES-D scores.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that — in addition to age, economic burden, and a history of falls — balance, functional mobility, and depression are risk factors associated with FOF in patients with chronic stroke in mainland China.

Keywords:

• Stroke
• Falls
• Chinese
• Risk factors