Article

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.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Langue : ANGLAIS