Walking difficulties is the main contributor to fear of falling in people with Parkinson’s disease

Fear of falling is more common and pronounced in people with Parkinson’s disease than in controls. We conducted a series of studies that used multivariable regression analyses to identify explanatory factors of fear of falling in people with Parkinson’s disease. Three independent samples were used. The first study (n=154) was a postal survey study that used well-established self-rating scales. The second study replicated the first one by using a clinical sample (n=104) and added unexplored motor aspects (e.g., gait speed, functional balance performance) as well as global cognition. The third clinical study (n=241) included independent variables that focused on personal (e.g. general self-efficacy) and environmental factors as well as Parkinson-related disabilities. In all three studies, walking difficulties was the strongest explanatory (60–68%) factor. The results imply that walking difficulties in daily life should be the primary target in order to reduce fear of falling in people with Parkinson’s disease.