A U T H O R S ’ C O N C L U S I O N S
Implications for practice
Exercises
Currently, there is insufficient evidence that exercises, as a single
component or integrated into a multiple or multifactorial intervention,
significantly reduce falling after stroke. There is also insufficient
evidence relating to the prevention of fall-related fractures,
fall-related hospital admissions, near-fall events, economic
factors, quality of life, or adverse events to inform practice.
Medication
One study showed that vitamin D reduced falling in institutionalised
women in the chronic phase after stroke with low vitamin D
levels. Another study showed that alendronate also reduced falling
in comparison with alphacalcidol in hospitalised people in the
chronic stage after stroke. Both studies need to be replicated before
implementation of these interventions can be used in clinical
practice.
Environmental adaptation (vision improvement)
One study provided people with stroke with single lens distance
vision glasses instead of multifocal glasses, but did not find a significant
decrease in the rate of falls or the number of fallers.