Fear of falling and motor functionality. A longitudinal and multidimensional study among older adults in a long-term residential care setting

Journal title PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE
Author/s Paolo R. Brustio, Daniele Magistro, Gabriele Patrucco, Marcella M. Caglio, Emanuela Rabaglietti, Monica E. Liubicich
Publishing Year 2017 Issue 2017/2
Language Italian Pages 16 P. 5-20 File size 235 KB
DOI 10.3280/PDS2017-002001
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In everyday life, older adults may often find difficulties to deal situations requiring the performance of different actions simultaneously. This study investigates the walking per-formance during dual-task conditions and the possible relationship with fear of falling in a group of older adults living in a long-term care setting. Fifteen older adults (average age M = 79±10 years) carried out a walking test in single-task and the same test in different dual-task conditions. Data on the fear of falling were collected. Results showed a reduction of walking speed under dual-task condition. Moreover a performance decline over the time was observed. Significant correlations were observed between dual-task conditions and fear of falling. The results underline the difficulties during dual-task condition in old age and the relationship with the fear of falling. This information may be useful for the development of specific physical and cognitive interventions.

Keywords: Dual-task, walking, fear of falling, long-term care setting.

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Paolo R. Brustio, Daniele Magistro, Gabriele Patrucco, Marcella M. Caglio, Emanuela Rabaglietti, Monica E. Liubicich, Paura di cadere e funzionalità motoria. Uno studio longitudinale e multidimensionale tra anziani ospiti in struttura residenziale in "PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE" 2/2017, pp 5-20, DOI: 10.3280/PDS2017-002001