Following Up on Falls After Stroke

Thank you for tuning in! If you missed it live, this was my follow-up to the previous podcast episode entitled, Why Balance Breaks After a Stroke on Episode 25.If you missed any announcements from previous posts or episodes, install the Substack app to connect with Achieve Balance News and the Believe in Balance Podcast. In the app you can also message me through the private chat! I’d like to hear from you.On Episode 26 of Believe in Balance:I covered the 2026 AHA/ASA Guideline for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery which outlines nine key priorities for physical therapists including fall prevention:Summary Tips for PT:* Early Mobilization: Progress mobility gradually during the acute stage (24-48 hours). Avoid high-dose, intense exertion in the hyper-acute stage (under 24 hours) to prevent neurological deterioration.* Fall Prevention: Conduct fall-risk evaluations immediately after a stroke and annually thereafter to establish targeted prevention programs.* Assessment Tools: Utilize objective clinical measures (e.g., standardized movement and balance tests) alongside real-world data from wearable sensors to track recovery.* Exercise Prescription: Design individually tailored programs targeting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic training per week, plus 2-3 days of strength and balance training.* Walking Training: Prioritize high-dose, task-specific walking training in the subacute and chronic stages. Body-weight supported treadmills and robot-assisted technology do not yield better walking outcomes than task-specific training and incur higher costs.* Foot Drop Management: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems are as effective for walking improvements as traditional ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs).* Care Access & Lifestyle: Utilize home-health and telerehabilitation when outpatient clinic access is limited. Support patient engagement in recreational activities to promote social and psychological health.Achieve Balance with SmartMovesPT is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Mentions:Believe in Balance Course https://achievebalance.substack.com/s/believe-in-balanceClosure After Stroke Book Update This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit achievebalance.substack.com/subscribe