eMedicineLive

Almost 50,000 people suffer from strokes every year in Canada and another 315,000 people are living with its side effects. It has been seen that people who have suffered from stroke are at an increased risk of falls, according to “The Locomotor Experience Applied Post Stroke (LEAPS) study. Around 60% of stroke patients report two or more falls afterwards, some of which may result in serious injuries.

 

The study, which was released at the Canadian Stroke Congress, suggests the need of better identification of such subjects who are at an increased risk of falling and proactive measures like building fall free houses is required. The study followed up 408 stroke patients for a period of 2 to 12 months following the stroke. They found that incidents of falling usually take place at the time when the patients are regaining their self confidence and resuming normal day to day activities. 70 percent of falls take place in homes and of them, 10 percent may result in unconsciousness or broken bones.

 

10 percent of all stroke patients in Canada, who suffer from mild stokes, are discharged from acute care and sent home directly. Only 37 percent of the patients, who have suffered from moderate to severe strokes, are sent to a rehabilitation facility. However, the researchers feel that it is imperative that all stroke patients are sent to rehabilitation centers after being discharged from acute care. There, the patients can undergo balancing tests and learn exercises and techniques to prevent fall. The patients and their family members should be actively involved in devising the rehabilitation program and the program should be individualized as per the needs of the patient. An appropriate rehabilitation program is an important part in the road to recovery and should be made available to all stroke patients. It should also be seen that appropriate changes are made at home and work place so that these places become more safe and accessible and stroke patients can be prevented from falling.

 

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