Citation

Schmid AA, Arnold SE, Jones VA, Jane Ritter M, Sapp SA, Van Puymbroeck M. Am. J. Occup. Ther. 2015; 69(3): 6903350020p1-5.

Affiliation

Marieke Van Puymbroeck, PhD, CTRS, FDRT, is Associate Professor, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, College of Health and Human Development, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, American Occupational Therapy Association)

DOI

10.5014/ajot.2015.016253

PMID

25871606

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the prevalence of fear of falling (FoF) in a sample of people with chronic stroke and compared multiple variables (balance, anxiety, depression, activity and participation, and stroke severity) in people with and without FoF.

METHOD: This study was a secondary analysis of data collected from a cross-sectional study of mobility after stroke in 77 participants with chronic stroke (>6 mo poststroke).

RESULTS: Of the 77 participants, 51 (66%) reported experiencing FoF. People with FoF had significantly decreased balance (p <.001) and activity and participation (p =.006) and significantly increased anxiety (p =.007). People with FoF also had significantly worse stroke severity (p =.001).

CONCLUSION: FoF is a prevalent concern in the chronic stroke population. The presence of FoF was associated with a variety of negative consequences. Occupational therapy practitioners should address FoF to help clients manage FoF and possibly improve recovery.

Language: en