Article

The aim was to describe falls and the perceived causes, experienced
by people with multiple sclerosis shortly after falling.
DESIGN: A qualitative
study using content analysis and quantitative data to illustrate where and why
people report falls most commonly. Semi-structured telephone interviews were
performed. Interviews were conducted shortly (0-10 days) after a fall. SUBJECTS:
In all, 67 informants who had reported at least one fall during the previous
three-month period and who used a walking aid participated. RESULTS: A total of
57 (85%) informants fell at least once during eight months resulting in 115
falls; 90 (78%) falls happened indoors, most commonly in the kitchen ( n = 20;
17%) or bathroom ( n = 16; 14%). Informants fell during everyday activities and
walking aids had been used in more than a third of the reported falls. The falls
were influenced of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Two categories emerged
from the analysis: 'activities when falling' and 'influencing factors'. The
category contained three (basic activities of daily living, instrumental
activities of daily living and leisure and work) and six (multiple
sclerosis-related symptoms, fluctuating body symptoms, being distracted, losing
body control, challenging surrounding and involvement of walking aid)
subcategories, respectively. CONCLUSION: The majority of falls occurs indoors and
in daily activities. Several factors interacted in fall situations and should be
monitored and considered to reduce the gap between the person's capacity and the
environmental demands that cause fall risk. Fluctuation of bodily symptoms
between and within a day is a variable not earlier targeted in multiple sclerosis
fall risk research.

Langue : ANGLAIS