The purpose of this study is to contribute toward addressing the needs of older adults with respect to fall prevention. Since behavior is a reflection of an individual’s thoughts (Bandura, 1989), changing a (older) woman's belief or perception programmatically, could potentially yield better performance. The effect of manipulated (verbal) feedback on a specific type of confidence, a.k.a. 'falls efficacy' (ergo, pertaining to falls) and functional motor performance (e.g. balance, 4 meter walk, sit-to-stand) was explored. Thereafter, the relationship of falls efficacy and motor performance was assessed and highlighted.
Method:
Forty-two young older adult women (N=42; aged 55-75 years) were administered with the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) on two occasions: 1) initial screening (baseline), and, 2) post-manipulation. Baseline assessment included documentation of health, mental state, heart rate, activity levels and other demographic data. Those with low-to-moderate concern for falling (FES-I) were included in the final participant pool and were randomly assigned to three groups: enhanced efficacy (EE), reduced efficacy (RE), and control (C). Fabricated verbal feedback to influence efficacy were provided accordingly: positive for EE, and negative for RE regardless of actual performance, and none were provided for the C group. Scripted feedback was provided during a rhythmic weight shifting task (RWS Assessment, SMART Balance Master®) according to group assignment. Post-manipulation assessment was conducted thereafter, including a short debriefing session.
Analysis/Results:
Comparison (Friedman’s Test) of the pre- and post-manipulation scores revealed that provision of commensurate verbal feedback did not influence FES-I or SPPB in any of the groups examined (p≥0.05). In addition, no significant relationship was found between the variables after manipulation
Conclusions:
Functional motor performance in older women was not altered with fabricated verbal feedback. Future studies warrant a more challenging motor task to effect a significant change in performance. In addition, a larger sample size, an older age group (55-85 years), who are less active and perhaps sedentary individuals with varying concerns for falling (low to high concern) may result in a larger effect size.