Article

Falls are common in patients who have had a stroke who return home after
neurorehabilitation. Some studies have found that walking speed inversely
correlates with the risk of falls. SCOPE: This study examined whether comparison
between comfortable self-selected walking speed and maximum maintainable speed is
informative with regard to the risk of falls in patients with stroke. METHODS: A
prospective cohort study was performed with 75 ambulant stroke patients. At
discharge, the Barthel Index score and performance at the 10-m and 6-min walking
tests were assessed. Number of falls was recorded by telephone interview every
two months for one year. Regression analysis was performed to identify factors
that were related to the risk of falls. RESULTS: Using forward multiple linear
regression, only the ratio between walking speeds on the 6-min and 10-m tests was
linked to the number of falls in the year after discharge (R=-0.451, p<0.001,
OR=0.046). Patients who chose a walking speed for short distances that was not
maintainable long term fell more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: A discrepancy between
short and long-term walking speed can help in identifying subjects in the
subacute stage after stroke with an increased risk of suffering a fall.
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Langue : ANGLAIS