Tailored interventions can support fall prevention in stroke survivors

Stroke survivors face a 1.5-fold increase in the risk of falls compared with the general older population,12 a vulnerability driven by the physiological hallmarks of the condition—namely, balance impairment, hemineglect, and a reliance on mobility aids.34 Furthermore, stroke survivors have a higher risk of fracturing their hip after a fall than their age and gender matched peers, more difficulties getting up after the fall,4 and a greater fear of falling.5 Falls might lead to a further increase of dependence and a reduction in activity and participation.6 Despite these severe consequences, the number of randomised controlled trials evaluating interventions to prevent falls in stroke survivors is limited, and, until now, interventions had not been shown to be effective in reducing fall rates or the number of people having a fall.7In a linked Australian trial in 370 people (doi:10.1136/bmj-2025-085519), Clemson and colleagues evaluated a home based, individually tailored intervention consisting of three…