The relationship between hemiplegic patients' fear of falling and therapists, assessment of fall risk

Abstract

[Purpose] To investigate the relationships among the normal Falls Efficacy Scale (subjective FES), the therapist's FES (objective FES), the difference between the two assessments ΔFES and physical function assessment. [Subjects] Seventeen hemiplegic stroke patients. [Method] The objective FES was scored on the basis of therapists' assessments of the range of activities patients could perform without falling. The difference between subjective FES and objective FES was obtained by simple subtraction. We investigated the relationships of these items with mobility, activities of daily living, and gait independence. [Results] Objective FES and subjective FES were correlated with the Berg Balance Scale, and we found a correlation between ΔFES and gait independence. [Conclusion] In addition to whether or not subjects have a fear of falling, it is important to investigate the mutual relationship between fear of falling, subjective feelings, and objective assessments of physical functions.