Falls Efficacy Is Associated With Better Gait and Functional Outcomes After Rehabilitation in Older Patients

Objective: To examine the relationship between falls efficacy and the change in gait speed and functional status in older patients undergoing postacute rehabilitation. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Postacute rehabilitation facility. Participants: Patients (N=180) aged 65 years and older (mean age +/- SD, 81.3 +/- 7.1y). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Data on demographics; functional, cognitive, and affective status; and falls efficacy using a 10-item version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES; range, 0-100) were collected upon admission. Data about gait speed and functional status (Barthel Index and Basic Activities of Daily Living [BADL]) were measured at admission and discharge. In addition, BADL performance was self-reported 1 month after discharge. Results: Compared with admission, all rehabilitation outcomes improved at discharge: gait speed (0.41 +/- 0.15 m/s vs 0.50 +/- 0.16 m/s; P