Among the multiple risk factors studied , a reduced performance in balance and gait was consistently associated with falls , while the contribution of single physical and cognitive impairments was variable in different population s. Walking aids , wheelchair characteristics and environmental hazards are significant environmental risk factors .
Falling is a common problem among young patients affected by neurological disorders , although the risk of falling for a specific individual is difficult to predict and the risk of a severe fall-related injury has not yet been established .
IMPLICATION S FOR REHABILITATION Young patients with impaired gait and balance or medium to severe motor disability appear to be at increased risk of falling .
Patients who are relatively independent and still participating in challenging activities have an increased exposure to fall-risk .
Walking aids , wheelchair characteristics and environmental hazards are significant environmental risk factors .
PURPOSE To review systematic ally the literature on fall risk factors for young patients affected by neurological disorders .
Falls in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury: Validity and Reliability of the Berg Balance Scale
Background . Persons with spinal cord injury who are able to walk are at risk for falls . Objective . The objectives were to investigate if the  Berg Balance Scale ( BBS ) can discriminate those with a propensity to fall ; to determine whether the BBS is associated with mobility measures , fear of falling , and muscle strength ; and to assess interobserver reliability . Methods . The measurement tools used were the  BBS  , the Spinal Cord Independence Measure , the Falls Efficacy Scale ( FES-I ) , the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury , the 10-m walk test , and the  st and ard neurological classification including motor scores ( MS ) . Falls were recorded retrospectively for the previous month and prospect ively for the subsequent 4 months . To determine interobserver reliability , BBS performance was videotaped and analyzed by additional physical therapists . Associations between BBS and the number of falls , measures of mobility , FES-I , and MS were calculated using Spearman correlations . The interobserver reliability was quantified using Kendall ’s coefficient of concordance and intraclass correlation coefficients ( ICCs ) . Results . Forty-two participants were included of whom 26 sustained 1 or more falls .  BBS performance correlated with measures of mobility , FES-I , and MS ( rs = -.83 to .93 ; P < .001 ) but not with the number of falls ( rs = -.17 ; P = .28 ) . The interobserver reliability was excellent , both for single items ( .84-.98 , P < .001 ) and for the total score ( ICC = .95 ; 95 % confidence interval = 0.910 - 0.975 ) . Conclusions . The BBS proved to be reliable and to relate well with other mobility measures , fear of falling , and muscle strength . However , it was unable discriminate between people who did fall and people who did not fall
Among the multiple risk factors studied , a reduced performance in balance and gait was consistently associated with falls , while the contribution of single physical and cognitive impairments was variable in different population s. Walking aids , wheelchair characteristics and environmental hazards are significant environmental risk factors .
Falling is a common problem among young patients affected by neurological disorders , although the risk of falling for a specific individual is difficult to predict and the risk of a severe fall-related injury has not yet been established .
IMPLICATION S FOR REHABILITATION Young patients with impaired gait and balance or medium to severe motor disability appear to be at increased risk of falling .
Patients who are relatively independent and still participating in challenging activities have an increased exposure to fall-risk .
Walking aids , wheelchair characteristics and environmental hazards are significant environmental risk factors .
PURPOSE To review systematic ally the literature on fall risk factors for young patients affected by neurological disorders .