Abstract
Background : The prevention of accidental falls in stroke patiens in rehabilitation hospitals is very important. Materials and methods : I examined the background of accidental falls in stroke patients who were hospitalized from January to June 2004 in our department. Results : Fifty four patients had a total of 75 accidental falls during the period, and 9 patiens experienced multiple falls. Approximately 65% of the patiens experienced falls around their bed sides or lavatories, and approximately 70% used wheelchairs. Approximately 80% of the patients had disturbances of higher brain functions such as attention disturbance, hemispatial neglect, construction apraxia, dementia, disorientation and motor impersistence. Patients with left hemiparesis experienced multiple falls more frequently than patients with right hemiparesis. Conclusions : We should pay more attention to the disturbances of higher brain functions as an important risk factor for falls in stroke patients.
