The influence of falling, fear of falling, and balance confidence on prosthetic mobility and social activity among individuals with a lower extremity amputation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess in amputee patients the relationship between having fallen in the past 12 months, fear of falling, and balance confidence on mobility capability, mobility performance, and social activity.


METHODS
Population-based survey and chart review.


METHODS
Two university-affiliated outpatient amputee programs in southwestern Ontario.


METHODS
Community-living individuals (n = 435) with a unilateral lower limb amputation.


METHODS
Patient chart review and a survey questionnaire.


METHODS
Self-report assessment of prosthetic capability and performance and social activity participation was assessed with the Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire mobility subscale, the Houghton Scale, and the Frenchay Activities Index.


RESULTS
Falling experiences in the past 12 months were not significantly associated with any outcomes. Fear of falling was important in univariate relationships in all 3 outcomes, but not when balance confidence was included in multivariable modeling. Balance confidence was statistically significant with each of the outcomes and remained significant with inclusion of the covariates. There was statistical interaction (balance confidence x automatism; balance confidence x medication count) in modeling mobility capability and in modeling mobility performance (balance confidence x pain + balance confidence x amputation level). The final models accounted for 70%, 60%, and 55% of the variation in mobility capability, mobility performance, and social activity, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Balance confidence was the only factor associated with mobility capability and performance and social activity in the final adjusted models. Clinicians and researchers should consider this variable in the rehabilitation of amputee patients.
Miller
W C
WC
Faculty of Medicine, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. bcmiller@telus.net
Deathe
A B
AB
Speechley
M
M
Koval
J
J
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires