Work

Fear of Falling in Women with Fibromyalgia and Its Relation with Number of Falls and Balance Performance

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fear of falling, number of falls, and balance performance in women with FM and to examine the relationship between these variables and others, such as balance performance, quality of life, age, pain, and impact of fibromyalgia. METHODS: A total of 240 women participated in this cross-sectional study. Of these, 125 had fibromyalgia. Several variables were assessed: age, fear of falling from 0 to 100, number of falls, body composition, balance performance, lower limb strength, health-related quality of life, and impact of fibromyalgia. RESULTS: Women with fibromyalgia reported more falls and more fear of falling. Fear of falling was associated with number of falls in the last year, stiffness, perceived balance problems, impact of FM, and HRQoL whereas the number of falls was related to fear of falling, balance performance with eyes closed, pain, tenderness to touch level, anxiety, self-reported balance problems, impact of FM, and HRQoL. CONCLUSION: FM has an impact on fear of falling, balance performance, and number of falls. Perceived balance problems seem to be more closely associated with fear of falling than objective balance performance.

Source: BioMed Research International

DOI: 10.1155/2015/589014

Authors: D. Collado-Mateo, J. M. Gallego-Diaz, J. C. Adsuar, F. J. Domínguez-Muñoz, P. R. Olivares, N. Gusi

Institutions: Universidad de Extremadura, Universidad Autónoma de Chile

Language: English

Topic: Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention

Subfield: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,680