Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42439480›Full record

ArticleJournal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing2026

Longitudinal Trajectories and Determinants of Fear of Falling in Post-Stroke Patients.

Xiaomeng Han, Mingming Zhong, Wenxiu Niu, Fei Zheng, Yuhan Sha, Xin Feng, Ruiyuan Yin, Panpan Li, Fangli Ma, Ying Ren and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Xiaomeng HanDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2471-4445
Mingming ZhongZhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8926-6010
Wenxiu NiuDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Fei ZhengDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5537-5179
Yuhan ShaDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Xin FengDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Ruiyuan YinDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Panpan LiDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Fangli MaDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Ying RenDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Zhigang ZhangDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4620-4730

Funding

Health Industry Scientific Research Program of Gansu Province GSWSHL2023-02
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveFear of falling is a common and serious psychological challenge after stroke, yet its longitudinal patterns remain poorly understood. Current evidence often fails to capture individual heterogeneity in recovery trajectories. This study aimed to identify distinct longitudinal trajectories of fear of falling and explore associated factors to inform targeted rehabilitation strategies in post-stroke patients.

designA prospective longitudinal study.

methodsFrom August 2023 to December 2024, we enrolled 166 stroke patients from the neurology wards of two hospitals in Lanzhou, China, forming a hospital-based sample within an urban healthcare setting. Fear of falling was assessed using a single-item question and the Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International at four time points: 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-stroke. Data were analyzed using latent class growth modeling in Mplus 8.0.

resultsThe prevalence of fear of falling was 48.8%, 49.4%, 45.8%, and 34.3% at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, respectively. Mean Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International scores were 11.30 (±4.74), 9.84 (±3.40), 9.61 (±3.13), and 8.00 (±1.22) at these time points. Three distinct fear of falling trajectories were identified: high-level continuous decline (20.48%), medium-level steady decline (26.51%), and low-level fear (53.01%). Age, anxiety levels, and depression levels were significant factors associated with these trajectories.

conclusionFear of falling after stroke demonstrates heterogeneous longitudinal trajectories that are significantly influenced by age, anxiety, and depression. These findings highlight the importance of individualized assessment and targeted psychological support during stroke rehabilitation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fear of falling is a dynamic psychological challenge during stroke recovery. Routine screening for fear of falling, anxiety, and depression may help nurses identify patients at risk for persistent fear trajectories. Tailored rehabilitation and psychological interventions may improve rehabilitation participation and recovery outcomes. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public engagement.

Indexed as

Accidental FallsFearStrokeStroke RehabilitationAgedChinaFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedProspective Studiesfactorsfear of fallinglongitudinal trajectorynursestroke

Identifiers

PMID42439480
PMCPMC13360664

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.