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Balance, falls, and bone health: Role of exercise in reducing fracture risk after stroke

Janice J. Eng, PhD, PT/OT, et al.

Figure.Peripheral quantitative computed tomography of 4% site of distal radius of (a) nonparetic and (b) paretic arm of 68-year-old woman who sustained stroke 4 years previously.

People who have had a stroke have an increased risk of falls and resulting fracture, especially at the hip or wrist. Exercise is a promising treatment for preventing these fractures because it has the potential to improve balance, reduce falls, and maintain or possibly improve the strength of bones. We provide an overview of the evidence underlying exercise interventions targeted at reducing falls and improving bone health in people with stroke. Given the multiple benefits of exercise on fracture risk factors, exercise should be considered for the management of falls and bone health following a stroke.


Volume 45 Number 2, 2008
Pages 297 — 314

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