Background and Purpose: This preliminary study investigated the immediate mechanisms leading to falls in the first three months after patients with stroke were discharged from hospital and identified the predictors of fallers. Methods: Post-discharge falls of nineteen patients with stroke were monitored in biweekly follow-ups up to three months after discharge, and home visits were arranged whenever falls occurred. The immediate mechanism of each fall was categorized according to the body part primarily perturbed during the fall, i.e. the centre-of mass (COM) or base-of-support (BOS). Cognitive and physical performances were assessed in the week before discharge, serving as potential predictors of fallers. Results: Seventy-six and twenty percent of all 25 falls were due to COM and BOS perturbations, respectively. Seventy-six percent of the falls occurred during routine activities in familiar environments. Poorer mo tor function (upper extremity≤46/66, lower extremity≤28/34 of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment) proved to be the best overall predictor (sensitivity≥80% specificity≥88%) of individuals prone to falls. Conclusions: The majority of the falls of recently discharged patients with stroke were due to COM perturbations while performing daily functional activities. Pre-discharge programmes should target at improving COM control in high-risk patients of post-discharge falls, i.e. those with poorer motor function as revealed by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment.
