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Updated: May 12, 2026
A Method for Quantifying Upper Limb Performance in Daily Life Using Accelerometers
Published on: April 21, 2017
Changes in physical activity and related functional and disability levels in the first six months after stroke: a
Torunn Askim1, Julie Bernhardt, Leonid Churilov
1Department of neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. torunn.askim@ntnu.no
Objective:
To investigate how physical activity changes over the first 6 months after stroke, and how activity is related to function.
Design:
A longitudinal study with an initial assessment within 14 days after stroke (in hospital) and follow-up assessments 1, 3 and 6 months later (in-patient rehabilitation or at home).
Subjects:
Patients with acute stroke.
Methods:
An accelerometer with a switch tilt was used to measure activity over a period of 24 h on each occasion. The Barthel Index (BI) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were applied as functional measures.
Results:
A total of 28 out of 44 recruited patients were included in the analysis (15 men (53.6%), mean age 79 years). The median time in the upright position increased from 92 min at baseline to 144 min 6 months later. A generalized least-square regression models showed that time in the upright position increased by 2.0 min for every day from baseline to 1 month later (p = 0.003). A single point increase on the BBS was associated with an extra 4.3 min in the upright position (p < 0.001), while a single point increase on the BI was associated with an extra 2.1 min in the upright position (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Activity levels are very low during the first 6 months after stroke. However, time in the upright position was found to increase as function improved.
