Perceived Physical Functioning and Gait Speed as Mediators in the Association Between Fear of Falling and Quality of Life in Old Age

Abstract

Preserving Quality of Life (QoL) in old age gains in importance, but Fear of Falling (FoF) considerably limits QoL. The aim of our study was to understand how physical mediators may translate FoF to QoL. At Time 1, FoF, subjective leg strength, balance, QoL, and objective gait speed were assessed. QoL was reassessed after 6 months, at Time 2 ( n = 125). A sequential mediation analysis examined whether the relationship between FoF and QoL could be mediated by leg strength, balance, and gait speed. FoF was directly associated with QoL (β = −.27; 95% CI [−0.007, −0.001]) as well as indirectly via leg strength, balance, and gait speed (specific sequential indirect effect: β = −.03; 95% CI [−0.06, −0.001]; R2 = .40 in QoL; controlled for age, QoL at Time 1). An intervention approach could be to address FoF and foster physical functioning and gait speed to maintain QoL.

Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life in Older People with and without Sarcopenia Covered by Long-Term Care Insurance

“…The HRQOL of the no sarcopenia group showed a positive correlation between gait speed and one-leg standing time. Previous reports have shown that gait speed and balance are associated with maintaining HRQOL in older people [ 50 , 51 ]. Further, multiple regression analysis has shown gait speed and balance to be associated with improved physical HRQOL of older people [ 52 ].…”

Exploring Mediation Effects of Gait Speed, Body Balance, and Falls in the Relationship between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Vulnerable Older Adults

“…Studies have reported that a high GS is able to increase the perception of HRQoL in the older adult population [ 35 , 62 ], helping to maintain levels of independence [ 63 ]. An improvement in GS can promote beliefs about one’s own abilities to deal with the environment in which one lives, which is important for strengthening self-confidence and generating new perspectives on life during aging [ 64 ].…”

A Matched Cohort Analysis for Examining the Association Between Slow Gait Speed and Shortened Longevity in Older Americans

“…Federal (United States) fall risk assessments also recommend that persons with poor gait speed be referred to physical therapy or other similar evidence-based physical activity (STEADI Algorithm for Fall Risk Screening, Assessment, and Intervention, 2019). Utilizing such interventions to improve gait speed and related physical functioning may similarly reduce fears for adverse health outcomes, which in turn, may elevate quality of life (Steckhan et al, 2020). However, there could be circumstances wherein treatment to care for slow gait speed is refractory and declining trajectories in gait speed exacerbate (Barbour et al, 2016).…”