Relationship between Life-Space after Discharge and Fall Selfefficacy in Female Elderly who have Suffered a Femoral Proximal Fracture: Cross-Sectional Study with Continued Inpatient Control

Abstract

【Purpose】Falls self-efficacy is related to behavior modification as factors controlling behavior. In the elderly female after the fracture of the proximal femur, this study examined the difference of falling self-efficacy between prolonged hospitalized group and discharged group and also examined factors influencing self-efficacy from the

aspect of life-space.

【Method】The subjects were 46 elderly women who were treated surgically for a hip fracture at an acute care hospital, who subsequently underwent rehabilitation. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: patients who were hospitalized for a prolonged period and patients who were discharged in 4 weeks. We followed the course up to the 8th week after surgery and examined the inter-group difference, measuring falling self-efficacy (MFES), the motor function, psychological function, and Life-Space Assessment (LSA). Furthermore, we performed multiple regression analysis to analyze factors that most affected falling self-efficacy.

【Results】There were no significant differences in age, Body Mass Index (BMI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, prehospitalization Activity of Daily Living (ADL)-Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score, and prehospitalization LSA score between the two groups. The results indicated that discharged patients tended to have a significantly higher MFES score 8 weeks postoperatively and a significantly higher post-discharge LSA score. Thus, multiple regression analysis was performed with the MFES score 8 weeks postoperatively as a dependent variable and experience with falls, physical and psychological function 8 weeks postoperatively, and the post-discharge LSA score as independent variables. The results indicated that the postdischarge LSA score and the FIM score 8 weeks postoperatively affected falls self-efficacy.

【Conclusion】In addition to the ability of daily living activities, the extent of the range of behavior and the high frequency of behavior after discharge were related to improvement falling self-efficacy of the elderly female after the fracture of the proximal femur.