Fear of Falling in muscular dystrophy. Investigation of the phenomenon and a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach to treat it.

This clinical research aims to address an emerging and disabling issue present in patients with muscular dystrophy: falls and the associated fear of falling. Fear of falling is a well-known phenomenon in populations at higher risk of falls compared to the general population, leading to avoidance behaviors and the risk of a vicious cycle of progressive reduction in functional abilities and activities with inevitable repercussions on quality of life. With this project, we aim to understand both the prevalence of the fear of falling in this patient population and to identify whether there are motor, psychological, and cognitive determinants predisposing to the development of disabling fear of falling. Additionally, a treatment protocol has been developed to intervene on the fear of falling not only through indirect methods, such as improving functional abilities through motor rehabilitation alone, but also with direct psychotherapeutic techniques targeting the fear of falling, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Finally, in order to maximize patient accessibility to the study, both assessments and treatments have been designed to be carried out in a home environment, in line with the patient's motor and logistical capabilities. Through this innovative, combined, and multidisciplinary approach involving medical personnel, psychologists, and physiotherapists, we aim to identify and treat the fear of falling, minimizing its impact on the function and quality of life of patients with muscular dystrophy.