Stroke survivors’ dual-task walking ability and falls after discharge

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to explore whether the dual-task walking ability (walking straight with a search task) of stroke survivors would predict falls during the 3-month period after discharge. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 34 stroke survivors with independent walking ability who were discharged from a convalescent rehabilitation hospital. We measured Stroke Impairment Assessment Set, knee extension strength, Berg Balance Scale, Mini Mental State Examination, Trail Making Test-A and Functional Independence Measure. Walking abilities of single-(10-m walk) and dual-(10-m walk with search) tasks were also assessed. The change rate of dual to single-task ability was calculated (SD change rate). The subjects were followed for falls for 3 months after discharge, and 11 subjects who had fallen were classified as the fall group, and 23 subjects who did not fall were classified as the non-fall group. [Results] Using a Cox proportional hazards model, the SD change rate was determined to be a significant predictor of falls. [Conclusion] The dual-task of straight walking with a search task could predict falls by stroke survivors.