Independently getting off the floor: a feasibility study of teaching people with stroke to get up after a fall

Background: Falls are common among stroke survivors but many are not taught how to get up again. A technique from an association called Action for Rehabilitation Following Neurological Injury addresses this problem. We investigated the feasibility and safety of teaching this technique to stroke survivors. Methods: Stroke survivors (mean 7.1 years post-stroke) with mild-to-moderate disability (mean modified Rankin Score 2.4), who could get up with assistance but not independently, received up to six sessions of training to independently get off the floor. The primary outcome was to independently get off the floor successfully; safety and feasibility were investigated by participant and trainer interviews, biomechanical and video analysis, and an expert panel review. Findings: Six of the ten participants managed to independently get off the floor and five of nine retained the skill two months post-training. One to six sessions (median three) were needed to master independently getting off the floor; one minor but no serious adverse events occurred. Expert reviewers indicated training involved an acceptable risk of falls and no concerns for knee and wrist positions. Conclusions: This feasibility study indicates that this technique may be useful. It was taught to and safely used by selected stroke survivors. Further assessment of independently getting off the floor has now been part of a pilot randomised controlled trial of Action for Rehabilitation Following Neurological Injury-based stroke rehabilitation.