Comparison of quality of life according to community walking in stroke patients

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life of stroke patients according to their degree of community walking. [Subjects] This study utilized raw data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2013 by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The subjects were noninstitutionalized stroke patients (n = 71) diagnosed by a doctor. [Methods] Trained surveyors visited households selected for the sample and conducted face-to-face interviews in conjunction with a structured questionnaire. The content of the interview included demographic data and the EuroQoL; EQ-5D-3L. Inferential statistical analysis took into account the clustering and stratification of the sample survey data as usually done in a complex survey design. A χ(2) test was performed to identify the quality of life distribution according to walking days during a typical week. Finally, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the correlation between quality of life and walking days. [Results] Mobility, usual activities, and anxiety/depression differed significantly according to number of walking days during a normal week. No significant difference was found in the relationship between quality of life and days of walking during a normal week. [Conclusion] This study indicates that community walking every day is better than walking 1-3 days a week or no walking in terms of the effect on quality of life. However, the extent to which community walking is good for improving quality of life is unclear. Further studies need to determine the optimal duration (days) of community walking.