Importance: Findings suggest that functional task-specific training may improve fall-related self-efficacy, supporting integration into clinical practice.
Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a structured functional task-specific training program on fall-related self-efficacy among adults with low perceived fall-related confidence.
Design: Mixed method, quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest. Setting: Outpatient physical therapy. Participants: Adults with low fall-related self-efficacy (n = 6).
Intervention: Participants received a functional task-specific training program consisting of task-specific activities required for functional mobility. The intervention was delivered prior to participants’ physical therapy sessions one time per week over a four-week period. Outcomes and Measures: Quantitative data were collected using confidence reports and the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were collected using open-ended responses on surveys and post-task reflections and were analyzed to develop themes.
Results: Fall-related self-efficacy improved by an average of two points across all activities, and statistically significant improvements were observed in select activities on the MFES following program implementation. Task-specific confidence scores remained consistently high across all activities and participants. Three themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) increased confidence in daily activities, (2) increased safety awareness, and (3) the importance of task repetition in strengthening confidence and safety awareness. Conclusions and Relevance: The quantitative data from the pre- and post-program MFES assessment demonstrated improvements in fall-related self-efficacy following the program. Qualitative findings demonstrated that the task-specific training program increased safety awareness and improved confidence to perform daily activities.
Plain-Language Summary: The aim of the study was to determine if functional task-specific training improved fall-related confidence to engage in daily activities among adults with low perceived confidence. The findings showed improved fall-related confidence and increased safety awareness to engage in daily activities following the program. Prioritizing task-specific training in occupational therapy practices may improve fall-related confidence for occupational therapy clients. Occupational therapy interventions targeting both confidence and task performance may lead to greater functional independence for adults with low fall-related confidence.