Relationship of Cognition, Mobility and Functional Performance to Fall Incidence in Recovering Stroke Patients

Background: People with stroke are at risk of falls. The majorities of individual with stroke has some degree of residual impairment, but regain walking ability and will be discharged home. Three quarters fell in the first six month after their discharge from hospital. Identify increased knowledge of incremental risk factors for falling and the assumption that some of the identified risk factors can be modified may lead to development of intervention to reduce number of falls

Objective: To explore the relationship between cognition, mobility and functional performance with respect to fall incidence in recovering stroke patients.

Methods: 110 subjects with stroke completed the study. Subjects were assessed on the basis of cognition, mobility and functional performance during 4th week after stroke incidence. Information regarding number of falls and characteristic of fall gained during a personal interview after six month from stroke. Number of falls correlated with baseline scores.

Findings: There is a significant good correlation found between cognition, mobility, and functional performance to number of falls in recovering stroke patients.

Conclusion: Cognition, mobility and functional performance might contribute to fall risk and fall related injuries in recovering stroke patients.