Understanding how fear of falling affects daily life in multiple sclerosis
Official title: Development of a conceptual model and measure of the impact of fear of falling in multiple sclerosis.
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11301611 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project creates a new way to measure how fear of falling changes daily activities for people with multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $312,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD117818-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11301611 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with multiple sclerosis experiencing gait or balance issues and fear of falling.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without MS or without fall-related concerns are unlikely to benefit from this measure development project.
What this research studies
People with MS often worry about falling, which can limit daily activities and reduce quality of life. The team aims to develop a conceptual model and a practical measure that captures how fear of falling affects everyday tasks, beyond existing scales. By focusing on real-life impact, the work could inform better rehabilitation strategies and patient-centered care. The study uses a mix of clinical insights and patient input to create a tool that reflects daily living, not just movement or balance alone.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with MS could receive more accurate assessments of how fear of falling limits their daily activities and get tailored interventions to maintain independence.
How similar studies have gone: Existing FoF measures exist but do not fully capture the impact on daily living; this project seeks to fill that gap with a new comprehensive metric.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abou, Libak — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Abou, Libak
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.