Citation

Batchelor FA, Hill KD, Mackintosh SF, Said CM, Whitehead CH. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2012; 93(9): 1648-1655.

Affiliation

National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2012.03.031

PMID

22503739

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a multi-factorial falls prevention program reduces falls in people with stroke at risk of recurrent falls, and to determine whether this program leads to improvements in gait, balance, strength and fall-related efficacy. DESIGN: A single blind, multi-center, randomized controlled trial with 12 month follow-up. SETTING: Participants were recruited after discharge from rehabilitation and followed up in the community. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=156) were people with stroke at risk of recurrent falls being discharged home from rehabilitation. INTERVENTIONS: Tailored multi-factorial falls prevention program and usual care, (N=71) or control (usual care, N=85). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were rate of falls and proportion of fallers. Secondary outcomes included injurious falls, falls risk, participation, activity, leg strength, gait speed, balance, and falls efficacy. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in fall rate (intervention 1.89 falls/person-year, control 1.76 falls/person-year, IRR=1.10, P=0.74) or proportion of fallers between the groups (RR=0.83, 95%CI 0.60 - 1.14). There was no significant difference in injurious fall rate (intervention 0.74 injurious falls/person-year, control 0.49 injurious falls/person-year, IRR=1.57, P=0.25), and there were no significant differences between groups on any other secondary outcome. CONCLUSIONS: his multifactorial falls prevention program was not effective in reducing falls in people with stroke who are at risk of falls nor was it more effective than usual care in improving gait, balance and strength in people with stroke. Further research is required to identify effective interventions for this high risk group.

Language: en