Fear of Falling: Clinical and Psychological Determinants in Neurological Patients. A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Stroke survivors are at increased risk of falls and often develop Fear of Falling (FoF), which can negatively affect mobility, independence, participation in daily activities, and quality of life. FoF is common after stroke, but the factors that contribute to it may differ depending on the stage of recovery. The purpose of this observational study is to investigate the prevalence of FoF in stroke survivors and to identify which motor, cognitive, and psychological factors are associated with it. Adults with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who are able to walk, even with assistance, will undergo a clinical and neuropsychological assessment. Evaluations will include measures of fear of falling, balance, walking ability, functional independence, mood, anxiety, cognitive functioning, awareness of deficits, personality traits, and behavioral symptoms. The findings of this study may help clinicians better understand the mechanisms underlying fear of falling after stroke and support the development of more personalized assessment and rehabilitation strategies tailored to different stages of recovery.

Inclusion Criteria: * signed informed consent * age greater than 18 years * diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) * ability to walk, even with difficulty, with a Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) score ≥ 1 (Holden et al., 1984) Exclusion Criteria: * concomitant presence of two or more of neurological diseases * history of cognitive impairment * history of intellectual disability * severe language/comprehension deficits as assessed by the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (Brott et al., 1989) * history of psychiatric disorders without pharmacological compensation * non-neurological conditions (e.g., orthopedic problems) that affect deambulation * patients with acute medical conditions requiring emergency care.