Individual and family self-management (IFSM) of a fall prevention program for improving balance ability and fall-related self-efficacy in post-stroke individuals: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke individuals often experience balanced impairments and reduced fall-related self-efficacy, which increases their risk of falling. The IFSM framework emphasizes the active engagement of patients and their families in managing health challenges.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of the IFSM fall prevention program in enhancing balance ability and fall-related self-efficacy among post-stroke individuals.

METHODS

Sixty post-stroke individuals and their primary family caregivers were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. The experimental group participated in a 10-week IFSM fall prevention program comprising an in-hospital phase followed by a post-discharge home phase. The program was grounded in the theory of Individual and Family Self-Management. Balance ability and fall-related self-efficacy were measured at baseline and Week 10. Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle, using descriptive statistics, Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, t-tests, and non-parametric tests.

RESULTS

Following ten weeks of intervention, patients in the experimental group showed significantly higher Short Fall Efficacy Scale-International scores and Berg Balance Scale scores relative to those in the control group. The completion rate of target exercise repetitions ranged from 87.38% to 95.75%, and 61.54% to 80.77% of patients fully achieved their exercise goals. Engagement with home environment renovation was 87.18%. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of falls between the patient groups.

CONCLUSION

The program is an intervention that improves balance ability and fall-related self-efficacy in post-stroke individuals. It warrants further investigation in larger, multicenter trials with extended follow-up periods.