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Relationship between fall-related efficacy and activity engagement in community-dwelling older adults: a
Stacey Schepens1, Ananda Sen, Jane A Painter
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, 300 North Ingalls Street, 9th Floor, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2007, USA.
Objective:
Fear of falling can lead to restricted activity, but little is known about how this fear affects different aspects of people's lives. This study examined the relationship between fall-related efficacy (i.e., confidence or belief in one's ability to perform activities without losing balance or falling) and activity and participation.
Method:
We conducted a meta-analysis of studies comparing community-dwelling older adults' fall-related efficacy to measures of activity or participation.
Results:
An examination of 20 cross-sectional and prospective studies found a strong positive relationship between fall-related efficacy and activity (r = .53; 95% CI [.47, .58]). An insufficient number of studies examining fall-related efficacy and participation were available for analysis.
Conclusion:
Low fall-related efficacy may be an important barrier to occupational engagement for many older adults and warrants careful consideration by occupational therapists. Future research should explore interventions that target fall-related efficacy and examine their effects on activity performance and engagement.
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