RecruitingInterventional

Falls in stroke survivors

Falls can be a big worry for people after a stroke, as balance problems can make them unsteady. Many stroke survivors experience falls in the first year after leaving hospital. While standard care offers some information on preventing falls, it can vary. This study wants to see if adding a new approach called the Stroke Action Falls (SAF) programme to the usual care helps reduce falls more effectively. The SAF programme includes a checklist and a personal action plan, developed with support, to help people identify and deal with things that might cause them to fall. Taking part means you'd either receive the SAF programme alongside your usual care or just usual care. Researchers will then keep track of any falls over 12 months and ask you to complete some questionnaires.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Nottingham

Enrolment target

464

Start

01 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2028

Stroke

What is this study about?

When someone has had a stroke, it can sometimes affect their balance and make them more likely to fall. In fact, many people who have had a stroke experience a fall within the first year of returning home from the hospital. While the NHS already provides some advice on preventing falls, the details can differ depending on where you live. This study aims to find a better way to help stroke survivors stay on their feet and reduce their risk of falling.

The main goal of this research is to see if a new programme, called the Stroke Action Falls (SAF) programme, can reduce the number of falls in stroke survivors over a year, compared to just receiving the standard care currently offered by the NHS. The SAF programme is designed to be very practical and personal. It involves using a checklist and an action plan to help each person understand their own risks for falling and come up with specific steps to make their home and daily life safer.

By taking part in this study, you would help researchers understand if this new SAF programme is a valuable addition to the care already provided. If it proves to be effective, it could help many more stroke survivors across the country avoid falls and live more confidently and independently at home.

Key takeaways

The study investigates a programme to help stroke survivors avoid falls.
It compares the new SAF programme with current standard care.
Participation involves keeping a monthly record of falls and filling out questionnaires.
The study is for adults over 18 who are returning home after a stroke.
It aims to improve fall prevention for stroke patients across the UK.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have recently had a stroke and are planning to go home from the hospital (this includes returning to your own home, a friend's or relative's home, or supported housing). You should also be able to report if you've had a fall or fill in questionnaires, either by yourself or with help from a family member, friend, or carer.

To join, you or someone acting on your behalf must be able to understand and agree to take part in the study. Before you start, a member of the research team will explain everything to you very clearly to make sure you are happy to participate. This is called giving 'informed consent'.

You won't be able to join the study if you are moving into a care home or if you are receiving end-of-life care.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you recently had a confirmed stroke?
Are you planning to go home after leaving the hospital (not a care home)?
Can you, or someone you know, report if you've had a fall and help with questionnaires?
Are you able to agree to take part in the study after it's been explained to you?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be put into one of two groups by chance, like flipping a coin. One group will receive the usual care that the NHS provides after a stroke. The other group will receive this usual care, plus they will take part in the Stroke Action Falls (SAF) programme.

If you're in the SAF group, a special 'Falls Lead' will get in touch with you. They will usually visit you at home to go through a checklist and help you create a personalised plan to reduce your risk of falling. This plan will look at what might make you unsteady and suggest ways to make things safer. They will then check in with you regularly over the next six months to make sure your plan is still working well and make any changes if needed.

Everyone taking part, no matter which group they are in, will be asked to keep a record of any falls they have each month for a full year after joining the study. This can be done by yourself or with the help of a family member or carer. You will also be sent some questionnaires to fill in at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after you start the study. The study is expected to run from October 2025 to October 2028.

Potential risks and benefits

At this time, we don't have specific details on the possible benefits or risks of taking part, as this information wasn't available when the study was first registered. However, generally, benefits from research studies can include contributing to new knowledge that could help future patients, or gaining access to additional support, like the SAF programme in this case. Risks in studies like this are usually low and might include the time commitment for appointments and filling out questionnaires. You are always free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (5)

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust
Approximate
Lincoln, England
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
City only
Norwich, England
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
City only
Pont-y-pwl, Wales
North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Stockton-on-tees, England
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Nottingham, England

Common questions

What is a 'stroke survivor'?

A stroke survivor is a person who has experienced a stroke and is now recovering.

What is 'usual care'?

Usual care means the standard medical and rehabilitation support that the NHS normally provides to people after a stroke in your local area.

What is the 'SAF programme'?

SAF stands for Stroke Action Falls. It's a special programme designed to help you identify and reduce things that could make you fall after a stroke, using a checklist and a personal action plan.

Will I have to pay to take part?

No, all aspects of taking part in a clinical trial are free of charge.

Who is paying for this study?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK, which supports health and social care research.

How to find out more

Chloe Dyche

chloe.dyche@nottingham.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.