Clinical Evaluation of Balance Impairments and Associated Risk of Falling in Post-Stroke Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Nursing care of critical patients with stroke is an ongoing theme in the literature specifically, on the level of balance and risk of falling outcomes. Measurement the level of balance by nursing are beneficial for patients’ health outcomes as they successfully managed and lived with their condition. This study assessed the level of balance and risk of falling in patients having stroke. Methods A cross-sectional survey conducted among (131) stroke patients in neurology teaching hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq. Data collection was utilized a non-probability purposive method from November 2024 to April 2025. The “Berg Balance Scale” was used to measure the level of stroke patients’ balance and reflecting 3 main domains: wheelchair bound, walking with assistance, and independent. A descriptive and inferential data analysis plus Chi-square were used to analyze data. Results Participants low level of balance with a minority of them shows their ability to balance independently. The level of balance was the lowest when patients stood on one foot (61.8%), retrieving object from ground (47.3%), placing alternate foot on stool (46.6%), and reaching forward with outstretched arms (43.5%). Finally, the total mean of score for the level of independency among patients with stroke was (M ± SD = 1.44±.64) with 64.1% of the sample were needed wheelchair bound and 27.5% of them were unable to walk unless with assistant. Conclusion Patients with stroke in this study show relatively low level of balance with increasing risk of falling. Hence, to achieve and sustain balance improvement, periodic nurse-led reevaluation of risk-of-falling is essential by earlier patient referral for rehabilitation intervention.