COMPARING THE GAIT BIOMECHANICS IN STROKE PATIENTS WHO HAVE HIGHER INCIDENCE OF FALLS VS STROKE PATIENTS WHO HAVE LESSER INCIDENCE OF FALL
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Aliya Sayyed
College:
The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major:
Excercise Science (M.S.)
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Pragya Sharma Ghimire
Abstract:
Stroke survivors face an increased risk of falls, persisting beyond the acute phase and impacting their lifelong quality of life. Falls and resulting fractures contribute significantly to post-stroke morbidity and mortality, mainly due to the increased susceptibility of individuals with stroke to hip fractures and subsequent loss of independence. Reduced bone mineral density post-stroke further compounds this risk. Assessing gait biomechanics serves as a critical tool in identifying fall risk among older adults. Previous studies have outlined differences in gait parameters between older adults who experience falls and those who do not, highlighting reduced gait speed, stride length, single limb support time, and increased gait variability.
Similarly, research on stroke patients has revealed distinct gait characteristics, including shorter and wider steps. While some stroke patients exhibit a higher susceptibility to falls, others are less prone to such incidents. However, there remains a gap in understanding whether differences in gait biomechanics exist among stroke patients with varying fall incidences. Therefore, this study aims to address this gap by comparing the gait biomechanics of stroke patients with high and low incidences of falls. Through the analysis and comparison of gait parameters across these groups, our objective is to identify any variations that can help design interventions to reduce fall risks among stroke survivors.