Abstract

Background. The risk of fali within the first year after a cerebral stroke amounts to approximately 40%. Numerous attempts have been made to propose a simple, yet sensitive and specific test to facilitate effective identification of patients at a particularly high risk of fall. The present study therefore aimed to assess the risk of fall among post-stroke patients undergoing physical rehabilitation with the Berg Test (Berg Functional Balance Scale). Material and methods. A total of 312 patients treated initially at the Stroke Ward and later at the Department of Physical Rehabilitation and attending the Vascular Disease Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital in Końskie in 2004 were followed up over 12 months. Each patient was assessed during the initial rehabilitation period and then allocated to one of four risk groups depending on his/her score in the Berg Test. Every subsequent fali was recorded together with a brief description of any consequences. Results. 119 patients (35%) fell at least once during the 12-month period, with 36 (11.5%) sustaining serious injuries as a result. The majority of the falls (78 patients) occurred in Berg Group IV (highest risk) patients, who also sustained multiple falls and the most serious consequences. The respective number of incidents in the other groups was 24 falls in Group III, 15 falls in Group II, and only 2 falls in Group I. Conclusions. The Berg Test appears to be a simple, reliable and sensitive instrument for identifying patients most at risk of sustaining an accidental fali. Ensuring particular care for those patients may help them avoid serious consequences of falls and enhance overall rehabilitation outcomes.

Key words:

stroke, falls, risk factors, Berg Balance Scale