Experiences of falls and strategies to manage the consequences of falls in persons with late effects of polio: A qualitative study
Christina Brogårdh, Jan Lexell, Catharina Sjödahl Hammarlund
Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden. E-mail: christina.brogardh@med.lu.se
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2262
Lay Abstract
Falls are very common in persons with late effects of polio (LEoP). Despite this, no study has explored how these persons experience falls and what strategies they use to manage the consequences in daily life. In this study, 14 persons with LEoP were interviewed and they described that falls could occur anywhere. Even slightly uneven surfaces could cause a fall and the increased impairments following LEoP led to an inability to quickly adjust balance. Physical injuries and emotional and psychological reactions were described after the falls. To prevent falls, assistive devices, careful planning and strategic thinking were used. These findings need to be included in a multifaceted falls management program to increase daily functioning in persons with LEoP.
Supplementary content
