Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Affects the Inter-Relationship Between Vision Impairment and Diminished Mobility in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-16-2020

Publication Title

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

First page number:

1

Last page number:

9

Abstract

Background: Age-related decline in vision may contribute to the development of fear of falling (FOF) behavior and reduced mobility, which are related to increased fall risk in older adults. Purpose: To investigate the inter-relationship between vision impairment, physical mobility performance, and FOF behavior in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A total of 400 participants from community centers (267 females; age = 74.8 (6.4), range = 65–97 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Presence of age-related eye diseases (e.g. macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy) and visual acuity (VA) was assessed. Physical mobility and FOF avoidance behavior were assessed using the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test and the Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire (FFABQ). The inter-relationships between parameters were analyzed using mediation model analysis. Results: Significant decreases in mobility performance were observed in those with eye disease (eye disease = 9.56 [5.2] sec, no eye disease = 8.54 [2.75] sec; p = .037) and FOF avoidance behavior... (See full abstract in article).

Keywords

Aging; Eye disease; Vision; Falling; Fear of falling

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

Language

English

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