Prediction of falling risk after discharge in ambulatory stroke or history of fracture patients using Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest).
Kazuhiro Miyata, Yoichi Kaizu, Shigeru Usuda
PMID 29706697WHAT IT FOUND
In ambulatory stroke patients, low scores on the BESTest sections for Anticipatory Postural Adjustments and Sensory Orientation were significantly associated with falls within six months.
These two specific balance components may help identify high-risk patients who appear stable enough for discharge.
Key findings
01Stroke patients who fell had significantly lower scores than non-fallers on the Anticipatory Postural Adjustments and Sensory Orientation sections of the BESTest.
02No BESTest sections showed a significant difference between fallers and non-fallers among patients with a history of fracture.
03The Anticipatory Postural Adjustments and Sensory Orientation sections showed moderate predictive accuracy for falls in stroke patients.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample size was very small, with only five fallers in each group, which limits the reliability of the findings. All participants were independent walkers with mild balance disorders at baseline, so the results do not apply to patients with more severe mobility or balance impairments. The study did not find predictive value for any BESTest sections in the fracture group, contrary to the authors' hypothesis.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the BESTest predicts falls for all discharge populations. The predictive value for fall risk was found only in stroke patients and was absent in patients with a history of fracture.