Relationships between fear of falling, balance confidence, and control of balance, gait, and reactive stepping in individuals with sub-acute stroke

Fall risk for individuals with stroke is over twice that of healthy older adults [1]. Falling is a common medical complication post-stroke [2,3], with an especially high risk of occurrence during hospital stay [4] and after discharge home from in-patient rehabilitation [5]. Falls often contribute to fear of falling (FOF), or FOF can develop in absence of a fall [6]. FOF is prevalent post-stroke, with up to 88% of individuals with stroke who experience a fall developing FOF [7]. Resulting activity avoidance may lead to restricted mobility and deconditioning, contributing to reduced functional capabilities, loss of functional independence, and further increases in fall risk and FOF [8–10].

Source: Gait and Posture - September 25, 2015 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Alison Schinkel-Ivy, Elizabeth L. Inness, Avril Mansfield Tags: Full length Article Source Type: research