TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of fear of falling for patients and caregivers
T2 - Perceptions before and after participation in vestibular and balance rehabilitation therapy
AU - Honaker, Julie A.
AU - Kretschmer, Laura W.
PY - 2014/3
Y1 - 2014/3
N2 - Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of fear of falling (FoF) on older patients with dizziness history and their caregivers to better determine holistic needs when developing a patient-family centered approach to falling risk reduction. Method: A mixed-method design was used, incorporating a phenomenological qualitative approach to explore the impact of FoF in 14 patients and a family member or spouse of each patient. Quantitative analysis was used to further interpret results of interviews conducted before and after participation in a vestibular and balance rehabilitation program designed to reduce falling risk and improve balance confidence. Results: Qualitative analysis of participant interviews pre and post vestibular rehabilitation revealed lifestyle changes for both participants and family caregivers due to FoF and the need for reducing falling concerns. Patient age showed statistically significant differences in levels of balance confidence, with younger participants (≤ 65 years) showing more concerns about the consequences of falling, even after rehabilitation, than older participants (> 65 years). Conclusion: The study highlights the impact of FoF on participation and activity levels of patients and family caregivers, as well as the need to thoroughly evaluate falling fears to achieve a holistic rehabilitation outcome.
AB - Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of fear of falling (FoF) on older patients with dizziness history and their caregivers to better determine holistic needs when developing a patient-family centered approach to falling risk reduction. Method: A mixed-method design was used, incorporating a phenomenological qualitative approach to explore the impact of FoF in 14 patients and a family member or spouse of each patient. Quantitative analysis was used to further interpret results of interviews conducted before and after participation in a vestibular and balance rehabilitation program designed to reduce falling risk and improve balance confidence. Results: Qualitative analysis of participant interviews pre and post vestibular rehabilitation revealed lifestyle changes for both participants and family caregivers due to FoF and the need for reducing falling concerns. Patient age showed statistically significant differences in levels of balance confidence, with younger participants (≤ 65 years) showing more concerns about the consequences of falling, even after rehabilitation, than older participants (> 65 years). Conclusion: The study highlights the impact of FoF on participation and activity levels of patients and family caregivers, as well as the need to thoroughly evaluate falling fears to achieve a holistic rehabilitation outcome.
KW - Audiology
KW - Balance
KW - Gerontology
KW - Vestibular rehabilitation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84897455632&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84897455632&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1044/1059-0889(2013/12-0074)
DO - 10.1044/1059-0889(2013/12-0074)
M3 - Article
C2 - 23824441
AN - SCOPUS:84897455632
SN - 1059-0889
VL - 23
SP - 20
EP - 33
JO - American journal of audiology
JF - American journal of audiology
IS - 1
ER -