Department of Preventive Gerontology, Center for Gerontology and Social Science, Obu, Aichi, Japan.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2017 Dec;17(12):2455-2459. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13102. Epub 2017 Jun 28.
Fear of falling (FOF) is associated with spatial and temporal gait parameters in older adults. FOF is prevalent among older adults, both those with and without fall history. It is still unclear whether the relationships between FOF and gait parameters are affected by fall history. The aim of the present study was to compare gait parameters by the presence of FOF and fall history.
A total of 3575 older adults (mean age 71.7 years, 49.7% female) met the inclusion criteria for the present study. We assessed the presence of fall history and FOF by face-to-face interview, and gait parameters (gait speed, stride length, step rate, double support time and variation of stride length) at a comfortable speed using a computerized electronic walkway.
Prevalences of fall history and FOF were as follows: non-fallers without FOF 52.6% (n = 1881); fallers without FOF 6.3% (n = 227); non-fallers with FOF 34.4% (n = 1229); and fallers with FOF 6.7% (n = 238). Analysis of covariance showed significant differences among the four groups in all gait variables even after adjusting for age, sex and number of medications used. It should be noted that non-fallers with FOF showed significantly slower gait speed, shorter stride length and longer double support time than did non-fallers without FOF (P < 0.001).
The present results suggest that spatial and temporal gait parameters are influenced by FOF, even in the absence of fall history. The assessment of FOF might be helpful for better understanding of age-related changes in gait control. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2455-2459.
跌倒恐惧（FOF）与老年人的时空步态参数相关。FOF 在老年人中很普遍，无论是否有跌倒史。目前尚不清楚 FOF 与步态参数之间的关系是否受跌倒史的影响。本研究旨在比较有无跌倒史和 FOF 老年人的步态参数。
共有 3575 名符合纳入标准的老年人（平均年龄 71.7 岁，49.7%为女性）接受了面对面访谈以评估跌倒史和 FOF 的存在，并使用计算机化电子步道以舒适速度评估步态参数（步速、步长、步频、双支撑时间和步长变异性）。
跌倒史和 FOF 的患病率如下：无 FOF 的无跌倒史者占 52.6%（n=1881）；无 FOF 的跌倒史者占 6.3%（n=227）；有 FOF 的无跌倒史者占 34.4%（n=1229）；有 FOF 的跌倒史者占 6.7%（n=238）。即使在调整了年龄、性别和使用的药物数量后，协方差分析显示，所有四个组在所有步态变量上均存在显著差异。值得注意的是，有 FOF 的无跌倒史者的步速、步长和双支撑时间明显比无 FOF 的无跌倒史者更慢（P<0.001）。
本研究结果表明，时空步态参数受 FOF 影响，即使无跌倒史也是如此。FOF 的评估可能有助于更好地理解与年龄相关的步态控制变化。
