Physical Therapy Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-27-2019
Journal
Disability and Rehabilitation
Volume
42
Issue
16
First Page
2252
Last Page
2261
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1555721
Abstract
Purpose: Falls are prevalent among people with lower extremity amputations. A knowledge of risk factors is important in preventing falls, though no research has evaluated patient understanding of falls in this population. The study objective was to evaluate knowledge of falls risk factors and falls prevention strategies at discharge and 4-months after inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation.
Methods: Participants completed a falls questionnaires with four sections: (1) falls during rehabilitation and after discharge, (2) falls self-efficacy using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, (3) knowledge of falls risk factors, and (4) falls prevention strategies. Questionnaire responses were quantified using means and standard deviations or frequencies and percentages. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests for the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale and the knowledge of falls risk factors, and using chi-square analyses for fall prevention strategies.
Results: Twenty-seven individuals (aged 62.6 ± 8.4; 55.6% male) were included. Unsafe or risky behaviours and not paying attention to surroundings were perceived as the top two falls risk factors. Although these factors are modifiable, only 5.9% of participants listed preventative behavioural modifications. No significant differences were found in Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale scores (p = 0.404) or knowledge of falls risk factors (p = 0.361) between discharge and follow-up.
Conclusion: This study highlights a gap between knowledge of falls risk factors and the application of knowledge to prevent falls. Follow-up data suggest that lived experience does not affect the knowledge of falls risk factors.
Creative Commons License
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Notes
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Disability & Rehabilitation on 27 January 2019, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1555721