The Relation Among Reactive Stepping and Fall-Related Psychological Factors in Multiple Sclerosis

<b>Purpose</b>: Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience changes in balance, such as poor and reactive stepping, as well as altered fall-related psychological factors, such as increased concern about falling and feared consequences about falling. Such concerns and fear may relate...

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Main Authors: Taylor N. Takla, Patrick G. Monaghan, Daniel S. Peterson, Nora E. Fritz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Brain Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/12/1197
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author Taylor N. Takla
Patrick G. Monaghan
Daniel S. Peterson
Nora E. Fritz
author_facet Taylor N. Takla
Patrick G. Monaghan
Daniel S. Peterson
Nora E. Fritz
author_sort Taylor N. Takla
collection DOAJ
description <b>Purpose</b>: Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience changes in balance, such as poor and reactive stepping, as well as altered fall-related psychological factors, such as increased concern about falling and feared consequences about falling. Such concerns and fear may relate to and influence mobility. However, these relations are poorly understood in people with MS. This study aimed to investigate the relation between reactive stepping performance and fall-related psychological factors, as well as to assess how these relations differ between individuals who have and have not fallen. <b>Methods</b>: In a single session, participants completed measures regarding fall-related psychological factors (balance confidence, concern about falling, and feared consequences of falling) and completed reactive stepping tasks. Following the visit, participants completed weekly surveys for 3 months to report their falls. Spearman rho correlations were computed to examine associations between participants’ reactive stepping performance and their fall-related concerns, confidence, and consequences, with a stratified analysis to compare these associations between fallers and non-fallers. <b>Results</b>: 44 individuals with MS participated in our study, with 27 individuals experiencing 0 falls (non-fallers) and 17 individuals experiencing at least 1 fall (fallers) in the 3-month follow-up period. Better reactive stepping performance was correlated with fewer concerns, greater confidence, and lower feared consequences related to falling. The stratified analysis revealed a greater number of significant associations for non-fallers than fallers, although the small sample of fallers reduced our ability to detect a relationship in this group. <b>Conclusions</b>: Reactive stepping was associated with fall-related psychological factors. Interventions targeting reactive stepping may be beneficial in enhancing fall-related psychological well-being in the MS community.
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spelling doaj-art-6118b03da69b4f90a148f66f599b89d22024-12-27T14:14:45ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252024-11-011412119710.3390/brainsci14121197The Relation Among Reactive Stepping and Fall-Related Psychological Factors in Multiple SclerosisTaylor N. Takla0Patrick G. Monaghan1Daniel S. Peterson2Nora E. Fritz3Neuroimaging and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USANeuroimaging and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USACollege of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USANeuroimaging and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA<b>Purpose</b>: Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience changes in balance, such as poor and reactive stepping, as well as altered fall-related psychological factors, such as increased concern about falling and feared consequences about falling. Such concerns and fear may relate to and influence mobility. However, these relations are poorly understood in people with MS. This study aimed to investigate the relation between reactive stepping performance and fall-related psychological factors, as well as to assess how these relations differ between individuals who have and have not fallen. <b>Methods</b>: In a single session, participants completed measures regarding fall-related psychological factors (balance confidence, concern about falling, and feared consequences of falling) and completed reactive stepping tasks. Following the visit, participants completed weekly surveys for 3 months to report their falls. Spearman rho correlations were computed to examine associations between participants’ reactive stepping performance and their fall-related concerns, confidence, and consequences, with a stratified analysis to compare these associations between fallers and non-fallers. <b>Results</b>: 44 individuals with MS participated in our study, with 27 individuals experiencing 0 falls (non-fallers) and 17 individuals experiencing at least 1 fall (fallers) in the 3-month follow-up period. Better reactive stepping performance was correlated with fewer concerns, greater confidence, and lower feared consequences related to falling. The stratified analysis revealed a greater number of significant associations for non-fallers than fallers, although the small sample of fallers reduced our ability to detect a relationship in this group. <b>Conclusions</b>: Reactive stepping was associated with fall-related psychological factors. Interventions targeting reactive stepping may be beneficial in enhancing fall-related psychological well-being in the MS community.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/12/1197reactive steppingfallsmultiple sclerosisconcern about fallingbalance confidence
spellingShingle Taylor N. Takla
Patrick G. Monaghan
Daniel S. Peterson
Nora E. Fritz
The Relation Among Reactive Stepping and Fall-Related Psychological Factors in Multiple Sclerosis
Brain Sciences
reactive stepping
falls
multiple sclerosis
concern about falling
balance confidence
title The Relation Among Reactive Stepping and Fall-Related Psychological Factors in Multiple Sclerosis
title_full The Relation Among Reactive Stepping and Fall-Related Psychological Factors in Multiple Sclerosis
title_fullStr The Relation Among Reactive Stepping and Fall-Related Psychological Factors in Multiple Sclerosis
title_full_unstemmed The Relation Among Reactive Stepping and Fall-Related Psychological Factors in Multiple Sclerosis
title_short The Relation Among Reactive Stepping and Fall-Related Psychological Factors in Multiple Sclerosis
title_sort relation among reactive stepping and fall related psychological factors in multiple sclerosis
topic reactive stepping
falls
multiple sclerosis
concern about falling
balance confidence
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/12/1197
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