Karin Hellström, Birgitta Lindmark, Birgit Wahlberg, Axel R. Fugl-Meyer
^A1 Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation Medicine Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
^A2 Department of Neuroscience, Section of Physiotherapy Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
^A3 Geriatric Physiotherapy Section University Hospital Uppsala Sweden

DOI: 10.1080/16501970310000836

Objectives: The objectives of this prospective study, undertaken in elderly patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation, were to determine to what extent fall-related self-efficacy changes over time, its relationships to objectively assessed functions and activities, and the predictive capacity of self-efficacy at discharge for activities of daily living 10 months after stroke. Methods: The study comprised 37 patients, aged 66-89 years. Main outcome measurement instruments were the Falls Efficacy Scale (Swedish version), Berg Balance Scale and Functional Independence Measure. Results: Significant improvements occurred in all these measures from admission to discharge, but patients with low self-efficacy at discharge showed less pronounced improvements than those with high self-efficacy. Falls Efficacy Scale (Swedish version) was closely associated with all other measures and was a more powerful predictor of activities of daily living than the observer-based measures of balance. Conclusion: To minimize dependence in activities of daily living, rehabilitation interventions should incorporate self-efficacy enhancement.