Prior falls and mobility problems linked to falls after stroke
A review of prospective studies linked mobility difficulties and several other factors to falls after stroke, with previous falls also associated with repeat events.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Among older stroke survivors, mobility and balance difficulties, walking-aid use, depression, medication use and previous falls were associated with falling. A history of falling was also linked to recurrent falls. These observational links do not establish that walking aids or medications cause falls, or that changing them prevents recurrence.
Although the authors calculated pooled odds ratios, this abstract-based summary cannot quantify the associations: the abstract omits their values, confidence intervals, participant total and follow-up lengths.
Falls and repeat falls
Researchers reviewed studies that followed older stroke survivors over time, considering both falls and repeated falls. A previous fall was linked to recurrence, but the abstract provides no numerical estimate for that relationship.
What the reported factors include
The balance and mobility domain included movement limitations, balance problems, motor impairment and difficulty with self-care. The review also identified walking-aid use, depression, medication use and a history of falls among its reported predictors.
The original publication
Risk Factors for Falls and Recurrent Falls in Older Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies.
Xie M, Taylor-Piliae RE, Yang C et al.
Int J Older People Nurs · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41152212
- Record checked
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