Presence of Fear of Fall in the Absence of Balance Deficits and its Impact on Quality of Life in Elderly Population

Sai Sumanth Thatamsetty, Sivakumar Ramachandran

Abstract: Background: Fear of Fall (FOF) is a self-perception of the ability to balance; it can limit an individual from performing Activities of daily life, though the individual does not have a skeletal or neurological cause for losing balance. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine that fear of fall can occur even without balance problems and a history of fall, which impacts on quality of life in the Elderly population. Methods: Fifty elderly subjects, both genders, above 60 years, were recruited from old age homes and community-dwelling elderly people. Assessment of balance performed by the Berg balance scale (BBS). FOF was assessed by the Fall efficacy scale (FES-I). BBS scores above 45 were included in the study. Presence of FOF measured by FES-I was analyzed for its severity, gender and age variations, relationship with fall history, and BBS scores. Non-parametric testing was used to test the variables. Results: All 50 participants had severe FOF based on the FES-I score. Females had a higher FES-I score. Cohort of participants with a BBS score less than 51 with a history of fall had a higher FES-I score compared to other participants. Conclusion: FOF is found in the elderly without apparent risk for fall based on the Berg Balance Scale score. FOF with education on fall prevention, behavioral modification, and environment-specific training will be effective in preventing future falls. Clinical implication: Greater understanding is expected to increase quality of life in elderly individuals and for clinical practice.

Keywords: Balance, Berg Balance scale, FOF, Falls efficacy scale-I, Quality of life

How to Cite?: Sai Sumanth Thatamsetty, Sivakumar Ramachandran, "Presence of Fear of Fall in the Absence of Balance Deficits and its Impact on Quality of Life in Elderly Population", Volume 14 Issue 5, May 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1425-1428, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR25521234700, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR25521234700