Fear of falling and motor functionality. A longitudinal and multidimensional study among older adults in a long-term residential care setting [Paura di cadere e funzionalità motoria. Uno studio longitudinale e multidimensionale tra anziani ospiti in struttura residenziale]

In everyday life, older adults may often find difficulties to deal situations requiring the performance of different actions simultaneously. This study investigates the walking performance during dual-task conditions and the possible relationship with fear of falling in a group of older adults living in a long-term care setting. Fifteen older adults (average age M = 79±10 years) carried out a walking test in single-task and the same test in different dual-task conditions. Data on the fear of falling were collected. Results showed a reduction of walking speed under dual-task condition. Moreover a performance decline over the time was observed. Significant correlations were observed between dual-task conditions and fear of falling. The results underline the difficulties during dual-task condition in old age and the relationship with the fear of falling. This information may be useful for the development of specific physical and cognitive interventions