Materials and Method: Fifty individuals aged 65 or older were enrolled. Falls efficacy, balance, mobility and depression were assessed using Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES), Balance Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment of Tinetti-BPOMA, Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test and Geriatric Depression Scale respectively.
Results: Subjects with fear of falling had lower MFES scores than those without. MFES scores were related with balance, mobility, depression, fall history and number of falls. Median value of MFES score was 7.8 (0.28-14). Subjects with a fall history and a low MFES score had longer TUG test times compared to those with a fall history but a high MFES score. Subjects without a fall history but with a low MFES score were older, having more impaired mobility and balance performance than those without a fall history and a high MFES score.
Conclusion: It was observed that, fear of falling prevents elderly from performing activities of daily life confidently. Falls efficacy was related with mobility, balance, falls history and depression. This relation should be taken into account when designing rehabilitation programmes for improving falls efficacy.
Keywords : Aged; Accidental Falls; Self Efficacy; Fear