Effect of an educational rehabilitation program on prevention of falls after stroke

Abstract

Objective: Fall is common in patient with stroke. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an educational rehabilitation program on prevention of falls after stroke.

Methods: Quasi-experimental design was utilized. Setting: Neurology Department and Outpatient Clinics at Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery Hospital at Assiut University. Sample: Sixty adult patients diagnosed with stroke. Patients were equally divided into two equal groups (study and control) 30 patients each. Tools: Tool I-Patient assessment sheet. Tool II-Morse Fall Scale.

Results: A statistically significant improvement of circumstances and consequences of falls and decreasing the injuries due to fall (p < .01) among the study group in comparison to the control group ones where, study group showed a decrease in the number of falling episodes (2.07 ± 0.78 vs. 5.4 ± 1.73), an improve in their ability to get up independent (83% vs. 23.3%), no need for medical attention (3.3% vs. 66.7%), and no restriction to their activities after falling (0.0% vs. 56.7%).

Conclusions: The educational rehabilitation program had a statistically significant effect on the improvement of circumstances and consequences of falls and decreasing the injuries due to fall among the study group than among the control group. Recommendation: Simple illustrated educational booklets should be available for stroke patients. Replication of this study on a larger sample with extending the follow-up period to 6 months is suggested.