title: Prediction of falling among stroke patients in rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify risk factors and predict falling in stroke patients. To determine the strength of general vs mobility screening for this prediction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients in the first 6 months after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following assessments were carried out: an interview concerning civil state and fall history, Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Star Cancellation Task (SCT), Stroop test, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), Motricity Index, grip and quadriceps strength, Modified Ashworth Scale, Katz scale, and a 6-month fall follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-five patients were included for analysis. Thirty -eight (58.5%) reported falling. Risk factors were: being single (odds ratio (OR) 4.7; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.2-18.3), SCT-time (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.0-1.3), grip strength on unaffected side (US) (OR 0.1; 95% CI 0.0-0.8), FAC 3 vs FAC 4-5 (OR 8.1; 95% CI 1.5-43.2), and walking aid vs none (OR 5.1; 95% CI 1.4-17.8). These parameters were included in predictive models, which finally implied a general model (I) with inclusion of SCT-time, FAC category and use of walking aid. A mobility model (II) included: FAC category and strength (US). These models showed a sensitivity of 94.1% and 76.3%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several assessments and both prediction models showed acceptable accuracy in identifying fall-prone patients. A purely physical model can be used; however, looking beyond mobility aspects adds value. Further validation of these results is required.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy Ghent, Campus Heymans (UZ) 1B3, De Pintelaan 195, Ghent University. tina.baetens@ugent.be
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baetens
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Kegel
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calders
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vanderstraeten
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cambier
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology