Clinical Study

Development and Process Evaluation of a 5-Week Exercise Program to Prevent Falls in People after Stroke: The FALLS Program

Table 1

Final content of the FALLS program.

SessionContent Min

(1)Obstacle courseUneven pavement, slopes, balance beam, walking under clothing line, various ground surfaces with doorsteps, narrow passage, stepping over a bench, stepping stones, transfer from stance to kneeling position, reaching, rotating, slalom with stepping over obstacles in lateral direction, walking backwards, and sitting down and standing up from a chair without arm use.105
(2a)Fall techniquesTrunk stability while sitting, falling sideways from a sitting position, and safely standing up from ground.60
(2b)Walking exercisesWalking in a row: changing walking speed and direction; throwing and catching a ball while walking: changing direction and avoiding collision with other participants; balance exercise: standing in a circle while pulling an elastic rope and walking in different directions.45
(3)Obstacle courseMotor dual task: walking in pairs holding a stick; visual deprivation: walking with dimmed light; cognitive dual task: count 1 specific sound in a piece of music while walking over the obstacle course.105
(4a)Fall techniquesTrunk stability, falling sideways and backwards from a sitting position, and rolling exercises to prepare for a forward fall.60
(4b)Walking exercisesWalking in a row or square: changing walking speed and direction and backward walking; walking in a crowd with a balloon balancing on the hand; walking in pairs with badminton rackets and balloons.45
(5)Obstacle courseMotor dual task: walking with a serving tray; cognitive dual task: listening to a story and counting words while walking over the obstacle course.105
(6a)Fall techniquesFalling sideways and backwards from a sitting position, falling sideways and forwards from kneeling position.60
(6b)Walking exercisesShuttle walk exercise: walking at gradually increasing speeds (1.5–6 km/h); playing a balloon with a badminton racket and one leg trapped in a hoop. Ball tunnel: walking through hoops while other participants throw balls.45
(7)Obstacle courseDifferent arrangement of the obstacles and walking in two groups in opposite directions; motor dual tasks: walking with serving tray with cups, walking with umbrella and filled bag.105
(8a)Fall techniquesFalling forwards and sideways from a kneeling position, falling backwards from a standing position.60
(8b)Walking exercisesTurning hoops: working together in a group to keep hoops turning; hockey game.45
(9)Obstacle courseMotor dual task: walking with serving tray, walking with a hockey stick and ball; cognitive dual task: count one specific sound in a piece of music.105
(10a)Fall techniquesFalling forwards and sideways while standing beside a thick mattress and falling backwards from a standing position.60
(10b)EvaluationEvaluation of the total program.45