The broad long term objective of this project is to use the knowledge gained from epidemiologic studies to develop intervention strategies tailored to the needs of older adults with fear of falling and those who cut down on activities due to fear of falling.
The specific aims of this proposal are: 1) To identify the distinctive physical, psychosocial, and demographic characteristics of a) older adults with a fear of falling who do not cut down on activity due to that fear (hereafter known as those with fear of falling alone), and b) older adults with fear of falling who cut down on activity due to that fear (hereafter known as those with fear of falling and associated activity restriction); 2) To evaluate the effects of fear of falling and associated activity restriction on changes in self-reported function in basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) over a three-year period; and 3) To determine whether the relationship between fear of falling and functional decline over a three-year period is mediated by decline in physical capabilities.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
7F32AG005909-03
Application #
6623207
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SNEM-2 (01))
Program Officer
Dutta, Chhanda
Project Start
2001-11-15
Project End
Budget Start
2002-09-15
Budget End
2002-10-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$9,388
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
791277940
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Murphy, Susan L; Dubin, Joel A; Gill, Thomas M (2003) The development of fear of falling among community-living older women: predisposing factors and subsequent fall events. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 58:M943-7
Murphy, Susan L; Williams, Christianna S; Gill, Thomas M (2002) Characteristics associated with fear of falling and activity restriction in community-living older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 50:516-20