Relationship of balance and mobility to fall incidence in people with chronic stroke.
OBJECTIVE
People with stroke are at risk for falls. The purpose of this study was to estimate the strength of the relationship of balance and mobility to falls.


METHODS
The participants were 99 community-dwelling people with chronic stroke.


METHODS
An interview was used to record fall history, and physical performance assessments were used to measure balance (Berg Balance Scale [BBS]) and mobility (gait speed).


RESULTS
No differences were found between subjects who fell once and subjects who did not fall or between subjects who fell more than once and subjects who did not fall. Neither balance nor mobility was able to explain falls in people with chronic stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be cautious when using the BBS or gait speed to determine fall risk in this population. Falls occurred frequently during walking; it may be necessary to focus on reactive balance and environmental interaction when assessing individuals for risk of falls and devising fall prevention programs for individuals with chronic stroke. The authors' observations suggest that the prescription of 4-wheel walkers for individuals with a low BBS score (</=45) may be a mobility aid that could reduce the risk of falls.
Harris
Jocelyn E
JE
School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, T325-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 2B5.
Eng
Janice J
JJ
Marigold
Daniel S
DS
Tokuno
Craig D
CD
Louis
Cheryl L
CL
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*