Is there an association between balance confidence and balance performance in community-dwelling older adults?
Date
2011-12
Authors
Contributor
Advisor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Narrator
Transcriber
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
[Honolulu] : [University of Hawaii at Manoa], [December 2011]
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
Falls are a major concern for older adults. Research suggests older adults do not accurately assess their actual balance and gait abilities placing them at risk of a fall. Although deficits in balance performance in older adults are normally attributed to underlying physiological factors, psychological constructs such as balance confidence may be associated with balance performance.
The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations between balance confidence and balance performance in community-dwelling older adults, and to describe the relationships between sociodemographic, and socioeconomic characteristics of older adults, 65 years of age and older.
A correlational non-experimental research design was used to investigate the associations between balance confidence and balance performance in older adults. The study sample consisted of 140 community-dwelling older adults, 65 to 100 years of age. Data was collected from three residential apartment complexes in Henderson, Kentucky. Study participants completed the Demographic Questionnaire, Folstein Mini-Mental Exam (MMSE), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale and the Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) Tool.
Study results indicated a significant correlation between balance confidence and balance performance F (7, 132) = 40.45, p < .001. Balance confidence, cognitive health, and number of falls were significant (p < .001) predictors of overall gait and balance performance on the POMA Tool. These three predictors explained 68.2% (R² = .682) of the variance in the multiple regression models.
This study provided evidence of the associations between balance confidence and balance performance in community-dwelling older adults. The ABC scale is a useful screening tool which can be used to identify older adults with deficits in balance confidence, placing them at higher risk for impaired balance, which may progress to a traumatic fall. Further research is warranted to explore the impact of balance confidence on impaired balance and/or gait, which has been associated with falls in older adults.
Description
Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2011.
Includes bibliographical references.
Includes bibliographical references.
Keywords
balance
Citation
Extent
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Theses for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Nursing.
Related To (URI)
Table of Contents
Rights
Rights Holder
Local Contexts
Collections
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.