Article

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of falls experience on
cognitive functions and physical activities in community-dwelling patients with
chronic hemiparetic stroke. Further, the feasibility of using the Montreal
Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to predict falls in the patients was evaluated.
Forty-seven patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. The
participants included 25 patients with falls experience (faller group) and 22
patients without falls experience (nonfaller group) in the previous 6 months. The
participants were assessed clinically using the MoCA, the Berg Balance Scale, the
Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), the Timed Up-and-Go Test, the 10 Meter Walk Test, and
the 6 Minute Walk Test. The individuals in the nonfaller group performed
significantly better in all clinical measures than those in the faller group. In
the nonfaller group, the MoCA was moderately correlated with only two
measurements, that is, the 10 Meter Walk Test and the DGI. In the faller group,
the MoCA was moderately correlated with four measurements, including the Timed
Up-and-Go Test, the 6 Minute Walk Test, the Berg Balance Test, and the DGI.
Physical and cognitive functions play a role in falls. Therefore, to decrease the
risk of falls among community-dwelling stroke patients, clinicians should
consider their physical activities and cognitive functions irrespective of their
falls experience.

Langue : ANGLAIS