Objective The aim of this study was to investigate falls and the fear of falling (FOF) in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and to determine the relationships between the FOF and physical performance, balance, and ambulation.

Methods Thirty-eight ambulatory children with DMD were included in the study. The functional level, falling history, FOF, physical performance, balance, and ambulation were assessed by using Brooke Lower Extremity Functional Classification, History of Falls Questionnaire, Pediatric Fear of Falling Questionnaire (Ped-FOF), timed performance tests, Timed “Up and Go” (TUG) test, and North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA), respectively.

Results Of the 38 children (mean age: 9.00 ± 2.03 years) 97.4% had a history of serious fall last year and 62.2% were injured due to this fall. The Ped-FOF score was 13.79 ± 7.20. Weak to moderate relations were determined between Ped-FOF and functional level (r = 0.33), frequency of falls (r = 0.41), duration of climbing 4-steps (r = 0.38), TUG (r = 0.36), and NSAA (r = –0.32) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion Ambulatory children with better performance scores had lower levels of FOF despite their history of serious falls and injuries. FOF tends to increase as the symptoms of the disease progresses. Investigating the history of falls and FOF from the earliest period will guide to take precautions and make necessary interventions on time in treatment programs.

目的 本研究旨在调查杜氏肌营养不良症 (DMD) 儿童跌倒和跌倒恐惧 (FOF) 情况，并确定 FOF 与身体表现、平衡和行走之间的关系。

方法 38 名非卧床 DMD 儿童被纳入研究。功能水平、跌倒历史、FOF、身体表现、平衡和行走通过使用布鲁克下肢功能分类、跌倒历史问卷、儿科跌倒恐惧问卷 (Ped-FOF)、定时性能测试、定时“向上和Go” (TUG) 测试和北极星动态评估 (NSAA)。

结果 38名儿童（平均年龄：9.00±2.03岁）中，97.4%有去年严重跌倒史，62.2%因今年跌倒受伤。Ped-FOF 评分为 13.79 ± 7.20。Ped-FOF 与功能水平 ( r  = 0.33)、跌倒频率 ( r  = 0.41)、攀爬 4 步的持续时间 ( r  = 0.38)、TUG ( r  = 0.36) 和 NSAA ( r  = –0.32) ( p  < 0.05)。

结论 尽管有严重跌倒和受伤史，但表现得分较高的走动儿童的 FOF 水平较低。随着疾病症状的进展，FOF趋于增加。从最早的时期调查跌倒和FOF的历史将指导采取预防措施并在治疗计划中及时进行必要的干预。