Investigation of the relationship between physical activity, kinesiophobia and fear of falling in older adults with chronic pain.

AIMS: This study aims to investigate the relationship between physical activity, fear of movement and fear of falling in older adults with chronic pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study includes 163 older adults aged 65 years and over, who live in a private nursing home. The cognitive functions of the individuals who participated in the study were evaluated with the mini-mental examination scale (MMES), fears of movement with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), fear-avoidance behaviour with the Fear-avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), physical activity levels with the Physical Activity Scale for Older (PASE), and the fears of falling were assessed with Tinetti's Falls Efficacy Scale (FES). RESULTS: In the correlation analysis, there was a weak correlation between age and fall risk (r = 0.349, p < 0.001), and PASETotal score (r = -0.020, p = 0.011). There was a weak positive correlation between Tinetti FES and FABQ scores (r = 0.349, p < 0.001), and kinesiophobia value (r = 0.259, p < 0.001), there was a weak negative correlation between Tinetti FES and PASETotal (r = -0.241, p = 0.002). A positive mid correlation was determined between kinesiophobia and the FABQ scores (r = 0.41, p < 0.001). The established regression model was found to be significant (F = 12.175; p < 0.001). Among the independent variables included in the model, FABQTotal (t = 3.589; p < 0.0001) and PASETotal (t = -3.325; p < 0.0001) significantly affected the fear of falling. CONCLUSION: The presence of chronic pain in older adults who have problems related to physical activity, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia due to advancing age may affect social participation, functional level, and quality of life significantly. Therefore, pain should be addressed in older adults and should be considered as an important issue in rehabilitation programs.

Reliability and Validity of Turkish Version of The Brief-BESTest in Stroke Patients.

BACKGROUND: The Brief-BESTest is the short version of the BESTest used to evaluate balance and fall risk in a multiple disease populations. The clinicians need practical, short application scales to evaluate the risk of falling, balance and rehabilitation results. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Brief-BESTest (Brief-BESTest-T) in stroke patients. METHODS: This study included a total of 40 subacute and chronic stroke patients (mean age of 60.28 ± 9.96 years). The Brief-BESTest, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and 10 m walking test were applied to the patients. RESULTS: A strong correlation was observed between the1st and 2nd evaluation Brief-BESTest-T total scores (r = 0.933). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was excellent. According to the correlation analysis performed to test the inter-rater reliability, a very high correlation (r = 0.906) was observed between the Brief-BESTest-T total scores. A high correlation was found between the Brief-BESTest-T and BBS and TUG, while a moderate correlation was found between the FRT, FES, and 10 m walking test. The clinical cut-off point for the Brief-BESTest - T was determined to be 9 points with an AUC of 0.872. There were no floor and ceiling effects found. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the Brief-BESTest-T had excellent internal consistency, intra-rater, and inter-rater reliability. Its concurrent, discriminant, and known-groups validity were also good and had no substantial floor and ceiling effects.

The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA-T).

Background: The Brunel Balance Assessment Scale (BBA) is a valid, reliable scale for evaluating functional balance and mobility in patients with stroke. It should also be fast, simple, portable and inexpensive for use in clinical practice.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of Brunel Balance Assessment (BBA-T) in post-stroke patients.Methods: One hundred and five stroke patients (49 female, 56 male) with a mean age of 65.45 ± 11.33 years were included. Standardize Mini-Mental Test (SMMT), BBA, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) were performed to the patients.Results: According to correlation analysis, a very strong relationship was found between first and second evaluation total BBA-T scores (r = 0.909). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was excellent. According to the Pearson correlation analysis performed to test inter-observer reliability, a very high correlation (r = 0.946) was observed among BBA total scores performed by the first and second physiotherapists. The BBA-T correlated with the BBS (r = 0.879), RMI (r = 0.862), and PASS (0.847). There was no floor observed for the BBA-T scale in this sample. However, the ceiling effect was found.Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that the Turkish version of BBA-T is a reliable and valid balance and mobility scale that can be used in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.