Self-efficacy in Relation to Impairments and Activities of Daily Living Disability in Elderly Patients with Stroke: a Prospective Investigation

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.