The FLASSH study: protocol for a randomised controlled trial evaluating falls prevention after stroke and two sub-studies
Open Access
- 31 March 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in BMC Neurology
- Vol. 9 (1), 14
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-9-14
Abstract
Falls are common in stroke survivors returning home after rehabilitation, however there is currently a lack of evidence about preventing falls in this population. This paper describes the study protocol for the FLASSH (FaLls prevention After Stroke Survivors return Home) project. This randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-factorial falls prevention program for stroke survivors who are at high risk of falling when they return home after rehabilitation. Intervention will consist of a home exercise program as well as individualised falls prevention and injury minimisation strategies based on identified risk factors for falls. Additionally, two sub-studies will be implemented in order to explore other key areas related to falls in this population. The first of these is a longitudinal study evaluating the relationship between fear of falling, falls and function over twelve months, and the second evaluates residual impairment in gait stability and obstacle crossing twelve months after discharge from rehabilitation. The results of the FLASSH project will inform falls prevention practice for stroke survivors. If the falls prevention program is shown to be effective, low cost strategies to prevent falls can be implemented for those at risk around the time of discharge from rehabilitation, thus improving safety and quality of life for stroke survivors. The two sub-studies will contribute to the overall understanding and management of falls risk in stroke survivors. This trial is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN012607000398404).This publication has 43 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effective Exercise for the Prevention of Falls: A Systematic Review and Meta‐AnalysisJournal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2008
- Fear of falling in stroke patients: relationship with previous falls and functional characteristicsInternational Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 2008
- The reliability and predictive accuracy of the falls risk for older people in the community assessment (FROP-Com) toolAge and Ageing, 2008
- Test–retest stability of three tests for unilateral visual neglect in patients with stroke: Star Cancellation, Line Bisection, and the Baking Tray TaskNeuropsychological Rehabilitation, 2004
- Interventions for preventing falls in elderly peoplePublished by Wiley ,2003
- Stroke, a Major and Increasing Risk Factor for Femoral Neck FractureStroke, 2000
- Confrontation visual field testsOphthalmic and Physiological Optics, 1997
- Complications After Acute StrokeStroke, 1996
- The Baking Tray Task: A Test of Spatial NeglectNeuropsychological Rehabilitation, 1996
- Patient Falls in Stroke RehabilitationStroke, 1995