| Abstract [eng] |
Relationship between Physical Activity, Risk and Fear of Falling in Older People SUMMARY Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine Department of Rehabilitation, Physical and Sports Medicine Applied Physical Activity Program Relationship Between Physical Activity, Risk and Fear of Falling in Older People Final Master Thesis of Applied Physical Activity The Author: Kristina Tamošiūnaitė, a 2-nd course student of Applied Physical Activity Master‘s program of Vilnius University. Academic supervisor: Prof. Dr. Marija Tamulaitienė, Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical and Sports Medicine. Key words: risk of falling, fear of falling, physical activity Goal: To investigate the associations between physical activity, risk and fear of falling in elderly people. Tasks: 1. To compare physical activity, risk and fear of falling, and quality of life between elderly people who experienced or did not experienced falls. 2. To analyze the consequences of falls, fall risk, fear of falls, quality of life and physical activity in different age groups. 3. To evaluate correlation between physical activity, risk and fear of falling. Methods and organization: The study involved community-dwelling Vilnius residents aged 65 years and over, without diseases or conditions which could dramatically decrease their mobility. All subjects were aware of the study and participated in it voluntarily. The interviewing and investigation was conducted from 8th of February, 2017 till 15th of April, 2017. The following tests were used in this study: specially prepared questionnaire for demographic and falls data, Short Mini Mental Examination test, the Tinneti scale and the Timed Up and Go test for assessment of fall risk, the Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) for evaluation of fear of falling, health-related quality of life questionnaire EQ-5D, and physical activity questionnaire Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Results: The study sample consisted of 94 elderly people aged from 65 to 88 years. Of all study subjects, 54.2 percent individuals had experienced falls during the previous 12 months. Of those who fell, 61 percent had injuries, and 39 percent did not suffer any injuries. In those persons who experienced falling, fear of falling and risk of falling were higher than in those who did not fell, Persons aged 75 and older had a higher risk of falling, they had worse quality of life. It was found the moderate negative correlation (r=-0,472; p<0,001) between risk of falling and physical activity and moderato corrrelation between risk and fear of falling (r =-0,378, p<0,001) . Conclusions: In community-dwelling people older than 65 years of age with fallings experience over during the previous 12 months, the fear of falls and fall risk was higher than the those who did not experience falls. Those who experienced falls, felt more fear of falling, more often stated they feel pain, depression or anxiety than those did not experience fall. Persons aged 75 and older had a higher risk of falling, they felt increased anxiety or depression had more difficulty moving and self-care than those younger than 75 years of age. It was not founded the relation between fear of falling and physical activity in older people. In people aged 65 years and older, the moderate correlation between fall risk according to the Times "Up & Go" test and the fear of falling (by FES-I questionnaire), and negative correlation between fall risk and physical activity (PASE questionnaire) was found (p<0.05). |
