Effect of mental practice on fear of falling in activities of daily living, satisfaction and lower extremity function in the community-dwelling elderly: A clinical trial

1Rehabilitation Research Center, Occupational Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS); Tehran, Iran

Koomesh:Vol. 21, issue 4; e154021

Published online:Aug 24, 2019

Article type:Research Article

How to Cite:Maryam HosseiniLaleh LajevardiGhorban TaghizadehEffect of mental practice on fear of falling in activities of daily living, satisfaction and lower extremity function in the community-dwelling elderly: A clinical trial.koomesh.21(4):e154021.

Abstract

Introduction: One of the negative consequences of such a fear is a decline in the person's ability to perform daily life activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mental practice on fear of falling in activity of daily living, satisfaction, functional mobility and balance in the community-dwelling elderly people. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 40 elderly people participated aged 60-80 who were referred to rehabilitation centers in Tehran, Iran were investigated. Correspondingly, all participants were randomly assigned to two groups of intervention (20 people) and control (20 people). Activity Balance Confidence test, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, and Timed Up and Go were respectively administered for assessment of fear of falling, satisfaction in activity of daily living, functional balance, and mobility before and after intervention and after the follow up period. In addition to home-based balance exercise (30 minutes), the intervention group received mental practice training 3 days (15 minutes) a week for 4 weeks, while the control group only performed home based balance exercises with the same duration and frequency. Results: Mental practice training significantly reduced the fear of falling in elderly (P = 0.01), But in satisfaction level, balance and functional mobility did not have a significant effect (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Mental practice training can significantly reduce fear of falling in elderly (P = 0.01). These exercises can be useful for researchers and therapists in prevention and reduction planning for elderly's fear of falling.

Keywords

Activity of Daily Living

Aged

Fear

Accidental Falls

Practice (Psychology)

Personal Satisfaction

Lower Extremity.

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