Balance function and fall-related efficacy in patients with newly operated hip fracture

Objective: To investigate the relation between fall-related efficacy in daily-life activities and functional as well as instrumental tests of balance in patients with hip fracture. Design: Analysis of different aspects of balance using the Falls Efficacy Scale, Swedish version FES(S), questions on fear of falling, Functional Reach (FR) and tests on a balance platform (Chattanooga). Subjects: Fifty-five elderly inpatients (mean age 82.3) with newly operated hip fracture who were assessed during the last week in hospital before discharge. Results: The results showed a significant relationship between the subjective ability measured with the FES(S) and the objectively measured balance in the Functional Reach test and also between fall-related efficacy measured with FES(S) and fear of falling. Very few significant correlations were found between the results from balance tests on the force platform and those obtained with FES(S) and FR. Conclusions: Both the Falls Efficacy Scale, Swedish version, and the Functional Reach have been shown to be useful in analysing balance function in elderly patients newly operated on for hip fracture. The Falls Efficacy Scale also indicates which of the daily activities the patient perceives as troublesome and thus require further training.