Perception of fall risk among cancer survivors receiving Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy in China: A latent profile analysis
4 affiliations
- 1Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Orthopedics Department, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, China
- 2Interventional Oncology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, China
- 3Clinical Research Center, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, China
- 4Nursing Department, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, China
Abstract
Background: Accurate perception of fall risk is imperative for functional rehabilitation and quality of life among cancer survivors receiving radiotherapy/chemotherapy; however, current levels of awareness remain suboptimal. This study aimed to investigate the current status of fall risk perception among this population in China, identify its latent profiles and associated factors, and establish a theoretical basis for targeted nursing interventions. Methods: Convenience sampling was conducted. A total of 534 cancer survivors undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Zibo City between June and September 2025. The study employed a general information questionnaire, the Fall Risk Perception Scale, the Social Support Rating Scale, the Health Literacy Management Scale, and the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify heterogeneous subgroups based on perceived fall risk, and logistic regression analysis was subsequently used to examine factors associated with subgroup membership. Results: Among the 534 enrolled cancer survivors, LPA classified perceived fall risk into three distinct categories: the Low-level Perceptually Deficient Group (22.85%), the Medium-level Condition-dependent Group (49.25%), and the High-level Self-awareness Group (27.90%). Multivariate analysis identified several modifiable factors significantly associated (P < 0.05) with these profiles. These factors were categorized as physiological health factors (duration of illness, tumor stage, hypertension, fall history, and vision), psychological and behavioral factors (self-assessment of health status, self-efficacy, and health literacy), and social and environmental factors (marital status, education level, caregiver, social support, and use of walking aids). Conclusion: Cancer survivors undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy demonstrated an above-average perception of fall risk, with significant heterogeneity observed. Healthcare providers should implement personalized interventions tailored to the distinct fall risk perception characteristics of different subgroups to enhance fall risk perception and ultimately reduce the incidence of falls.
Related
- Laser Therapy for Sexual Health in Breast Cancer Survivors Receiving Aromatase Inhibitors : A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
- AI-assisted 3D thoracic body composition analysis identifies candidate imaging markers associated with overall survival in older patients with lung cancer receiving radiotherapy
- Pharmacogenomic predictor of long-term residual chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in ovarian cancer survivors: A substudy of the GINECO Vivrovaire study
- Peripheral Lymphocyte Subsets Predict Efficacy and Overall Survival in Gastric Cancer Patients Receiving Preoperative Chemotherapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
- Longitudinal Association Between the Change in Serum Procollagen Type III N-Terminal Peptide (PIIINP) and Skeletal Muscle Loss in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: A Prospective Cohort Study
BibTeX
@article{liu2026perception,
title = {{Perception of fall risk among cancer survivors receiving Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy in China: A latent profile analysis}},
author = {Hongkun Liu and Yuping Cheng and Lin Wang and Hanfei Cui and Xuebing Jing and Shanshan Zhang},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0358845},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358845},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Perception of fall risk among cancer survivors receiving Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy in China: A latent profile analysis
AU - Hongkun Liu
AU - Yuping Cheng
AU - Lin Wang
AU - Hanfei Cui
AU - Xuebing Jing
AU - Shanshan Zhang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0358845
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358845
AB - Background: Accurate perception of fall risk is imperative for functional rehabilitation and quality of life among cancer survivors receiving radiotherapy/chemotherapy; however, current levels of awareness remain suboptimal. This study aimed to investigate the current status of fall risk perception among this population in China, identify its latent profiles and associated factors, and establish a theoretical basis for targeted nursing interventions. Methods: Convenience sampling was conducted. A total of 534 cancer survivors undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Zibo City between June and September 2025. The study employed a general information questionnaire, the Fall Risk Perception Scale, the Social Support Rating Scale, the Health Literacy Management Scale, and the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify heterogeneous subgroups based on perceived fall risk, and logistic regression analysis was subsequently used to examine factors associated with subgroup membership. Results: Among the 534 enrolled cancer survivors, LPA classified perceived fall risk into three distinct categories: the Low-level Perceptually Deficient Group (22.85%), the Medium-level Condition-dependent Group (49.25%), and the High-level Self-awareness Group (27.90%). Multivariate analysis identified several modifiable factors significantly associated (P < 0.05) with these profiles. These factors were categorized as physiological health factors (duration of illness, tumor stage, hypertension, fall history, and vision), psychological and behavioral factors (self-assessment of health status, self-efficacy, and health literacy), and social and environmental factors (marital status, education level, caregiver, social support, and use of walking aids). Conclusion: Cancer survivors undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy demonstrated an above-average perception of fall risk, with significant heterogeneity observed. Healthcare providers should implement personalized interventions tailored to the distinct fall risk perception characteristics of different subgroups to enhance fall risk perception and ultimately reduce the incidence of falls.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -