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Is There an Association Between Self-Reported Dual-Task Performance and Fear of Falling in Older Adults?
Ecem Kartal Özcan1, Mustafa Karabulut2, Kürşad Karakoç3,4
1Department of Audiology, Gulhane Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
|January 23, 2024
Summary
Fear of falling is moderately associated with poorer self-reported dual-task performance in older adults. This highlights the importance of assessing dual-task abilities in elderly individuals to understand fall risks.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Fear of falling increases with age and can impair dual-task abilities.
- Declines in dual-task performance may negatively affect older adults' quality of life.
- Early evaluation of dual-task performance is crucial, especially before fear of falling develops.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between self-reported dual-task performance and fear of falling in older adults.
- To explore the relationship between physical activity, fear of falling, and dual-task performance.
Main Methods:
- 51 older adults participated.
- Standardized questionnaires were used: Dual-Task Questionnaire (DTQ), Falls Efficiency Scale International, and Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly.
- Multiple linear regression analyzed predictors of DTQ scores.
Main Results:
- A moderate positive correlation (r=0.448, p=0.001) was found between fear of falling (Falls Efficiency Scale International) and self-reported dual-task performance (DTQ).
- Age, BMI, and physical activity levels were not significant predictors of dual-task performance.
- The findings indicate a link between fear of falling and how older adults perceive their ability to perform tasks simultaneously.
Conclusions:
- A moderate association exists between fear of falling and self-reported dual-task performance in the elderly.
- Physical activity, fear of falling, and dual-task performance are interconnected in older adults.
- Self-reported measures like the DTQ can offer valuable clinical insights into older adults' dual-task capabilities.
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