Physical activity dimensions after stroke: patterns and relation with lower limb motor function.
Hanneke E M Braakhuis, Monique A M Berger, Ruben G R H Regterschot and 4 others
PMID 34895265WHAT IT FOUND
After stroke, walking intensity and time spent upright increased during early recovery, while the number and length of activity periods did not.
Motor function showed little association with these activity patterns.
Key findings
01Physical activity intensity increased by +13% and physical activity duration increased by +64% between 3 and 12 weeks post-stroke, while activity frequency and distribution did not show significant change.
02Lower-limb motor function did not have a significant effect on any of the four physical activity models.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted at one rehabilitation centre in the Netherlands. Only 39 patients were analysed, and valid accelerometer data were available for 30 at 3 weeks, 28 at 12 weeks, and 24 at 26 weeks. Participants were already relatively able: mean Fugl-Meyer lower-limb score was 22 of 34 at 3 weeks. The study observed patterns over time; it did not test whether an intervention changed physical activity. Device failures and participant compliance caused missing measurements.
Declared interests
Publication types indicate research support from a non-U.S. government; no author conflicts of interest are reported.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that better lower-limb motor function will make patients more active in daily life. The study found little association between motor function and activity, and the number and length of activity periods did not increase.