A Novel Strategy to Decrease Fall Incidence Post-Stroke
(BLAST Trial)
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Approximately 15,000 Veterans are hospitalized for stroke each year with new cases costing an estimated $111 million for acute inpatient, $75 million for post-acute inpatient, and $88 million for follow-up care over 6 months post-stroke. Contributing to these costs is the incidence of falls. Falls are a costly complication for Veterans with stroke as they lead to an increased incidence of fractures, depression, and mortality. New strategies are needed to help Veterans post-stroke regain their ability to safely walk without increasing their risk of falling as well as readily identify those who are a fall risk. This study addresses both of these needs as it will 1) investigate a new treatment approach, backward walking training, to determine if it will decrease fall incidence in the first year post-stroke and 2) determine if backward walking speed early after a stroke can identify those that are at risk for future falls.
Research Team
Dorian Kay Rose, PhD MS BS
Principal Investigator
North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Backward Walking Training (Behavioral Intervention)
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead Sponsor