Association between pain locus of control and fall risk in older adults with chronic pain: community-based cross-sectional study

Lara Cristina de Carvalho; Arthur de Sá Ferreira; Grazielle Caroline da-Silva; Luciana Crepaldi Lunkes

doi:10.63231/2595-0118.202673-en

Original Article

Association between pain locus of control and fall risk in older adults with chronic pain: community-based cross-sectional study

Associação entre o lócus de controle da dor e o risco de quedas em idosos com dor crônica: estudo transversal de base comunitária

Lara Cristina de Carvalho; Arthur de Sá Ferreira; Grazielle Caroline da-Silva; Luciana Crepaldi Lunkes

http://dx.doi.org/10.63231/2595-0118.202673-en BrJP, vol.9, e202673, 2026

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Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic pain and falls are common in older adults and may be influenced by locus of control. The objective of this was study examined the association between pain locus of control and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 84 aged (≥60 years) reporting chronic pain. Participants completed the Pain Locus of Control Scale and the Downton Fall Risk Index. Associations between fall risk and pain locus of control types (internal, chance, other powerful, other people) were analyzed using linear regression adjusted for age and gender.

RESULTS: Higher Downton Fall Risk Index scores were independently associated with lower internal locus of control (β=−0.646; 95% CI −1.106 to −0.187; p=0.006; R² = 0.10) and higher other people locus of control scores (β = 0.396; 95% CI 0.051 to 0.742; p=0.025; R² = 0.09). No significant associations were observed for the chance or other powerful domains.

CONCLUSION: Among community-dwelling older adults with chronic pain, fall risk was independently associated with locus of control, particularly lower internal control and greater attribution to others. Although significant, the models explained a modest proportion of variance, and causality cannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional design. These findings suggest that psychological beliefs about control may be relevant in the multidimensional assessment of fall risk.

Keywords

Accidental falls, Aging, Chronic pain, Locus of control, Psychology

Resumo

RESUMO: JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Dor crônica e quedas são comuns em idosos e podem ser influenciadas pelo lócus de controle. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a associação entre lócus de controle da dor e risco de quedas em idosos residentes na comunidade.

MÉTODOS: Este estudo observacional transversal incluiu 84 idosos (≥60 anos) que relataram dor crônica. Os participantes responderam à Escala de Lócus de Controle da Dor e ao Índice de Risco de Quedas de Downton. As associações entre risco de queda e tipos de lócus de controle (interno, ao acaso, outros poderosos, outras pessoas) foram analisadas por regressão linear ajustada por idade e sexo.

RESULTADOS: Escores mais altos no Índice de Risco de Quedas de Downton foram associados independentemente a um menor lócus de controle interno (β=−0,646; IC 95% −1,106 a −0,187; p=0,006; R² = 0,10) e a escores mais altos no lócus de controle outras pessoas (β = 0,396; IC 95% 0,051 a 0,742; p=0,025; R²=0,09). Nenhuma associação significativa foi observada para os domínios ao acaso ou outros poderosos.

CONCLUSÃO: Entre idosos residentes na comunidade com dor crônica, o risco de quedas foi associado de forma independente ao lócus de controle, particularmente menor controle interno e maior atribuição a outros. Embora significativos, os modelos explicaram uma proporção modesta da variância, e a causalidade não pode ser inferida devido ao delineamento transversal do estudo. Esses achados sugerem que as crenças psicológicas sobre o controle podem ser relevantes na avaliação multidimensional do risco de quedas.

Palavras-chave

Dor crônica, Envelhecimento, Lócus de controle, Psicologia, Quedas acidentais

References

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Submitted date:
11/10/2025

Accepted date:
03/25/2026

Association between pain locus of control and fall risk in older adults with chronic pain: community-based cross-sectional study

Associação entre o lócus de controle da dor e o risco de quedas em idosos com dor crônica: estudo transversal de base comunitária

Lara Cristina de Carvalho; Arthur de Sá Ferreira; Grazielle Caroline da-Silva; Luciana Crepaldi Lunkes

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