Self-reported Balance Confidence Relates to Perceived Mobility Limitations in Older Cancer Survivors

Background: Mobility difficulty in cancer survivors is the leading functional problem that impacts independence, participation, and quality of life. Purpose: This study examined the relationships of demographics, health-related variables, Timed Up and Go (TUG), and short version of Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC-6) with respect to mobility limitations in older cancer survivors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study at a university-based laboratory. Forty cancer survivors (aged = 67.8 ± 8.90 years) living in the community participated. Comorbidity was measured using Functional Comorbidity Index (FCI). The TUG and the ABC-6 were administered. Mobility limitations were measured using the Physical Functioning subscale of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36v2 (PFS). Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables. Independent-samples t test was used to compare between-group differences in scores of the PFS for dichotomous variables, and the Pearson correlation was used to examine the association of continuous variables with the PFS. A stepwise regression model evaluated the relationships between demographics, health-related variables, TUG, and ABC-6 with the PFS. Results: Body mass index, FCI, TUG, and ABC-6, but not age or years since cancer diagnoses, significantly correlated with the PFS (P < .05). In the final regression model, a history of falls, comorbidity, and ABC-6 were significant predictors of mobility limitations as measured by the PFS (P < .001). Conclusion and Discussion: Together with a history of falls and comorbidity, the ABC-6, a selfreport measure of balance confidence, predicted mobility limitations. Clinicians should consider using the ABC-6 to detect deficits underlying mobility problems when treating older cancer survivors. (Rehab Oncol 2016;34:64–71)