@article{ref1,
title="Six-month prospective study of fall risk factors identification in patients post-stroke",
journal="Geriatrics and gerontology international",
year="2013",
author="Jalayondeja, Chutima and Sullivan, Patricia E. and Pichaiyongwongdee, Sopa",
volume="14",
number="4",
pages="778-785",
abstract="AIM: To determine if the findings at month 1 could correctly identify stroke patients who fell in the 6 months post-stroke; and to describe the characteristics of fallers and non-fallers, and their courses of recovery. <br><br>METHODS: Of 133 volunteers who had their first stroke, 98 participants completed the assessment three times. Fall incidence and history were collected by telephone every 2 weeks and recorded. Fear of falling measured by the Fall Efficacy Scale (FES-S), the amount of time that physical therapy was received, and standardized outcome measures according to the International Classification Functioning, Disability and Health model were measured at month 1, 3 and 6 after stroke. The Berg Balance Scale, Barthel Index, Timed Up & Go, 10-m (10mWT) and 2-min walks and participation subscore of Stroke Impact Scale were used for assessment. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 25 patients (25%) fell in the 6 months; 13 had multiple falls. Fallers showed less improvement in impairments, activity and community participation compared with non-fallers. The risk of falling was greater than 1 (odds ratio [OR]) when assessed by all outcome measures at month 1, and was double at month 3. The FES-S ≥33 at month 1 could accurately identify a faller (OR 2.99, 95% confidence interval 1.07-8.37), moderate to high sensitivity (76%), specificity (49%), and positive and negative predicted value (34% and 85%). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Fear of falling was the best indicator of falling. Receiving physical therapy after a stroke seems to highly contribute to improved functional independence of activities in daily living, and increased self-confidence and cognitive function. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; ●●: ●●-●●.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1444-1586",
doi="10.1111/ggi.12164",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ggi.12164"
}