Effects of a multifactorial fall prevention program on balance, gait, and fear of falling in post-stroke inpatients

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of a multifactorial fall prevention program on balance, gait, and fear of falling in stroke patients. [Subjects] Twenty-five stroke patients were divided randomly into multifactorial fall prevention program group (n=15) and control treadmill group (n=10). [Methods] All interventions were applied for 30 min, five times per week, for five weeks. The fall prevention program included interventions based on the “Step Up to Stop Falls” initiative and educational interventions based on the Department of Health guidelines. For those in the treadmill group, the speed was increased gradually. The Korean falls efficacy scale and Korean activities-specific balance confidence scale were used to assess fear of falling. To assess balance and walking ability, the Korean performance-oriented mobility assessment scale and the 10-m and 6-minute walk tests were used. [Results] The fall prevention program interventions were found to be very effective at improving gait, balance, and fear of falling compared with the treadmill intervention and therefore seem appropriate for stroke patients. [Conclusion] A multifactorial fall prevention program is effective at improving balance, gait ability, and fear of falling. It is a more specific and broad intervention for reducing falls among inpatients in facilities and hospitals.

Falls and Fear of Falling After Stroke: A Case‐Control Study

“…Persons with recurrent falls are considered particularly vulnerable and require immediate preventive measures [1]. This finding supports the need for fall prevention, such as a multifactorial fall prevention program [46], in this vulnerable group.…”

Clinical application of circuit training for subacute stroke patients: a preliminary study

“…The 6 min walk test (6MWT) was used as a measure of gait endurance. Subjects performed the 6 min walk test, in which they were instructed to cover as much distance as possible in 6 min 10 ) . Subjects walked around a circuit marked in a 50 m hallway and were allowed to stop and rest if necessary.…”

Factors Associated with Fear of Falling among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the Shih-Pai Study in Taiwan

“…Interventions including physical training [ 29 , 31 – 34 ], cognitive training [ 29 , 35 ], and guided relaxation and imagery therapy [ 36 ] have revealed effects on decreasing FOF among older people under different conditions. A recent study in Korea found that the multifactorial fall prevention program including exercise, education and general physical therapy is effective in improving FOF in post-stroke inpatients [ 37 ]. Although many domains of risk factors for FOF in older adults have been explored, there are still other important aspects that remain under-investigated, such as medical help accessibility which could be imperative for evaluation and prevention of FOF in older adults.…”