Balance confidence and functional balance are associated with physical disability after hip fracture.

Background: This cross-sectional study investigated the associations between balance confidence, functional balance, and physical disability among older people after hip fracture.
Material and Methods: The study utilizes baseline data of two randomized controlled trials (ISRCTN34271567 and ISRCTN53680197). The participants were 159 community-dwelling over 60-year-old people. Health, fracture status, the date and type of surgery, and contraindications for participation were assessed in a clinical examination. Balance confidence was assessed by the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and functional balance by the Berg Balance Scale. Physical disability was assessed by a questionnaire containing 14 questions on perceived difficulty in basic (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Two sum scores were composed: ADL score (range 0-6) and IADL score (range 0-8). Isometric knee extension force was measured using a dynamometer. Pain and use of walking aids were assessed by a questionnaire. The negative binomial regression analysis was used to analyze the associations.
Results: A higher ABC score was associated with a lower risk for ADL (IRR 0.99; 95% CI 0.98-0.99) and IADL disability (0.99; 0.98-0.99) in the fully adjusted models. Also a higher BBS score was associated with a lower risk for ADL (0.98; 0.96-0.99) and IADL disability (0.98; 0.97-0.99) in the fully adjusted models.
Conclusion: Decreased balance confidence and impaired functional balance are associated with physical disability in older people after hip fracture.
(Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)