@article{ref1,
title="The temporal relationship between falls and fear-of-falling among Chinese older primary-care patients in Hong Kong",
journal="Ageing and society",
year="2007",
author="Chou, Kee-Lee and Chi, Iris",
volume="27",
number="2",
pages="181-193",
abstract="Although the association between falls and fear-of-falling has been established by previous studies, the temporal ordering of the two is uncertain. Moreover, the common and unique risk factors that contribute to falls and to fear-of-falling have not been investigated in either primary health-care settings or Asian societies. The aims of this study were to examine the temporal sequencing of fear-of-falling and a fall, and to identify the risk factors associated with the two. A prospective cohort study with three six-month measurement waves was conducted in primary-care settings in Hong Kong. The sample was derived from the waiting list control group of a randomised clinical trial, and 321 respondents participated in the three waves. They were evaluated with the Minimum Data Set for Home Care. It was found that falls and fear-of-falling at baseline were not independent predictors of respectively developing a fear-of-falling and becoming a faller, but that age was a common independent predictor for falls and the onset of a fear-of-falling. Individuals with a fear-of-falling were at risk of both falling and a fear-of-falling at 12 months. The good news is that no vicious cycle of falls and fear-of-falling was found, and modifiable risk factors, including IADL limitations, environmental hazards, and fear-of-falling were identified, so that effective prevention programmes for falls and for fear-of-falling can be designed.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0144-686X",
doi="10.1017/S0144686X06005393",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X06005393"
}