Abstract: ObjectiveTo examine the application of functional reach test(FRT) in the assessment of fall risk in stroke patients with hemiplegia.MethodsThis study used a randomized repeated measures trial design. 51 post-stroke patients with hemiplegia were recruited and were assigned into three groups, fallen group, falling group and no-fall group, according to the result of the survey on the patients' history of fall. FRT was performed for the three groups respectively to obtain confidence interval that predict fall risk more effectively according to the result of FRT. Fall risk by confidence lower limit was predicted.ResultsThe reaching distance anteriorly and posteriorly in FRT was highly correlated of the number of fall(r=-0.788，P<0.01). When the reaching distance was lower than 42.15 cm, the fall risk of the examinee was highest.ConclusionFRT can be applied to predict the fall risk of the examinee, and can also be used in the assessment of fall risk in stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Key words: functional reach test, fall risk, balance, hemiplegia