Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2014; 18 - a2205
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1388766

Balance, Gait, Falls, and Fear of Falling in Middle-Aged Adults and Older

Adriane Ribeiro Teixeira 1, Andréa Kruger Gonçalves 1, Eliane Matana Griebler 1, Leticia Sousa Flores 1, Lilian Benin 1, Maira Rozenfeld Olchik 1
  • 1Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Introduction: The balance is a result of the harmonious interaction of various systems of the body.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between fear of falling, balance, and gait in middle-aged adults and seniors.

Methods: For the evaluation of individuals, the instrument Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I-BRAZIL) was used, consisting of questions about the concern with the possibility of falling on activities of daily living. The total score can range from 16 to 64 points. The balance and gait were assessed by the instrument Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA—BRAZIL).

Results: The study included 40 individuals, with 12.5% male and 87.5% female, aged between 58 and 89 years. The score of the FES-I-BRAZIL ranged from 16 to 37 points (mean 23.2 ± 5.6). The score balance was between 32 and 39 points (mean 1.8 ± 37.68) and between 16 and 18 points (mean 17.93 ± 0.3). It was found that there is a negative correlation between the score of the FES-I-BRAZIL and the total score of the POMA-BRAZIL (r = −0.428, p = 0.006) between the score of the FES-I-BRAZIL and balance score (r = −0.383, p = 0.015) and between the total score of the FES-I-BRAZIL and gait score (r = −0.314, p = 0.031).

Conclusion: There was a negative correlation between fear of falling and balance in the group evaluated, demonstrating that the better the balance and gait, less the fear of falling.