title: [Fear of falling and the relationship with the measure of functional independence and quality of life in post-Cerebral Vascular Accident (Stroke) victims].
abstract: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the fear of falling of 52 chronic post-stroke individuals and to assess its relationship with measures of functional independence and quality of life (QOL). Fear of falling was assessed by the Brazilian version of Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I-BRAZIL) and functional independence by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and QOL by the Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SSQOL) scale. Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated to verify the associations between FES-I-BRAZIL and the other instruments, and the Mann-Whitney U test to compare groups with low and high fall concerns. There was a predominance of individuals with high concerns regarding falling, higher QOL, and independence. FES-I-BRAZIL was statistically associated with FIM and SSQOL. Significant relationships were also found between FES-I-Brazil with FIM transfer and locomotion sub-scales, as well as with the following SSQOL energy, family role, language, mobility, mood, self-care, and upper extremity function domains. Thus, fear of falling may contribute to reduced functional independence and QOL in post-stroke individuals and should be included in the evaluation process of these patients to ensure greater benefits during rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av.dos Reitores s/n, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Laboratório de Cinesiologia e Avaliação Funcional, Cidade Universitária 50, Recife, PE. raquelbuarque88@gmail.com
authors.forename: Raquel Buarque Caminha
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: Glória Elizabeth Carneiro
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Laurentino
authors.forename: Priscilla Gonçalves de
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Dinalva Lacerda
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: João Carlos Ferrari
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.forename: Luci Fuscaldi
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Teixeira-Salmela
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*