What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the relationship between fear of falling and specific gait characteristics and balance performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

July 22, 2013Disability and RehabilitationOpen Access

Influence of fear of falling on gait and balance in Parkinson’s disease

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To examine the relationship between fear of falling and specific gait characteristics and balance performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Evaluated 79 non-demented participants (62 males; mean age 69.22 ± 8.93 years; time since diagnosis 8.27 ± 5.31 years) diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Stratified participants into high fear of falling (Activities-specific Balance Confidence score < 69) and low fear of falling (score ≥ 69) groups.
Assessed gait using a computerized walkway and balance via the 5-step test, 360-degree turn, timed sideways walk, and timed up and go test.
Participants with high fear of falling showed significantly lower forward walking speed and stride length (p < 0.0005 for both), as well as lower backward walking speed (p = 0.001) and stride length (p = 0.002).
High fear of falling was associated with significantly longer times to complete the 5-step test (p = 0.025), 360-degree turn (p < 0.0005), sideways walk (p = 0.001), and timed up and go test (p = 0.003).
Participants with high fear of falling required significantly more steps to execute turns (p = 0.001) and sideways walking (p = 0.002) than those with low fear of falling, independent of fall history.

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Implication

Cross-sectional study shows that fear of falling impairs gait speed and balance in Parkinson’s disease, highlighting the need to address psychological factors in motor rehabilitation.

Cite This Study

Bryant et al. (2013) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69dd625e7808b00a4799d78c https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2013.814722

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Implication

Cross-sectional study shows that fear of falling impairs gait speed and balance in Parkinson’s disease, highlighting the need to address psychological factors in motor rehabilitation.

Influence of fear of falling on gait and balance in Parkinson’s disease

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Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Influence of fear of falling on gait and balance in Parkinson’s disease

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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