Implications for research
This review provides little evidence for the effectiveness of interventions
for preventing falls in people after stroke. Further research
into this important but complex area is warranted.
Further studies are needed to assess exercises as a single component
or part of a multiple or multifactorial programme, with careful
consideration of the content of the intervention, taking into
account the current knowledge about risk factors for falling after
stroke and the possibility that different interventions have to be
developed for different subgroups of people after stroke.
It is important to note that only one study included participants
in the acute and subacute phase. Future research could focus on
the potential of influencing risk factors for falls in people early
after stroke, i.e. while still hospitalised, and on the assessment of
the long-term effect when people are discharged back into their
community.