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Investigation the relationship between balance confidence with fall history and fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults in Tehran, 2024
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Mina Zarrin   , Sarieh Poortaghi * , Reza Negarandeh |
| Department of Community Health and Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , spoortaghi@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (333 Views) |
Background: Balance confidence refers to the belief in one’s ability to maintain balance during daily activities and is a critical predictor of fall risk. Lack of balance confidence, fear of falling and prior falls lead to reduced activity and impaired balance performance, representing significant threats to the process of healthy aging. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between balance confidence, fall history and fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study included 132 older adults receiving care at comprehensive health centers in southern Tehran, affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Participants were recruited based on predefined inclusion criteria using a convenience sampling method. Data collection instruments comprised a demographic and social information questionnaire, two items assessing fall history and the presence of fear of falling, and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using both descriptive and inferential methods, including the independent t-test, with SPSS version 27.
Results: Based on the independent t-test, balance confidence was significantly associated with fear of falling and history of falls among older adults (p < 0.01). The results indicated that balance confidence scores were lower in older adults who reported fear of falling or had a history of falls compared to their counterparts. The mean balance confidence score was 59.22 ± 39.93 in older adults with a history of falls and 76.53 ± 94.20 in those without. Among older adults with fear of falling, the mean score was 22.77 ± 65.63, while in those without fear of falling it was 77.62 ± 88.20.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that older adults who experience fear of falling or have had a fall in the past year exhibit lower balance confidence compared to others. These results underscore the importance of addressing psychological factors, including fear of falling and balance confidence, in fall prevention and management. Special attention should be given to older adults with fear of falling and those with prior falls, and appropriate interventions should be implemented to enhance balance confidence and reduce the risk of falling.
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| Keywords: Older adults, Geriatrics, Balance Confidence, Balance, Accidental Falls, Fear of falling |
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Full-Text [PDF 299 kb]
(92 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Geriatric Nursing |
Subject:
nursing
Received: 2025/08/31 | Accepted: 2025/10/4 | Published: 2025/10/2
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