Latent profile categories of fear of falling in older patients with osteoporotic spinal fractures: impact on physical activity at 1 month postsurgery.

Objective: To explore the latent profile categories and influencing factors of fear of falling in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) after surgery, and to explore the effect of latent categories of fear of falling on physical activity 1 month after surgery. Methods: A total of 240 patients undergoing surgery for OVCF were enrolled via convenience sampling. The Fear of Falling Questionnaire-Revised was administered to participants on the day of their first postoperative out-of-bed activity. Physical activity levels were subsequently assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the older adults at the 1-month postoperative follow-up. Results: There were 228 valid questionnaires (95.00%). Patients' fear of falling was divided into the high-fear group (28.07%), the medium-fear group (42.11%), and the low-fear group (29.82%). Compared with the low-fear group, the OVCF patients were more likely to develop into the medium level of fear in the past 6 months after surgery (OR = 1.543, Conclusion: Patients with OVCF are more likely to develop a moderate level of fear of falling within the first 6 months after surgery. Patients with high scores in perceived environmental factors and personal activities, low self-efficacy, and a history of vertebral fractures of two or more times are more likely to develop a high level of fear of falling. The management pathway for fear of falling after OVCF surgery should be established with fear stratification, precise intervention, and activity promotion as the core.