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Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Assaying Locomotor Activity to Study Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Parameters in Drosophila
Published on: September 28, 2010
Circadian activity rhythm and fragmentation are associated with sleep-wake patterns and sleep quality in patients
Débora Carvalho de Oliveira1, Paula Regina Cavalcanti Ferreira2, Aline Braga Galvão Silveira Fernandes1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
Background:
Activity levels and disturbances of the sleep-wake pattern affect health and quality of life and need to be further explored in patients with stroke.
Objective:
To evaluate activity levels and their association with sleep-wake patterns in patients with stroke.
Methods:
Ten adults with (51±6 years) and 10 without stroke (52±7 years) participated in the study; they were matched on age, sex and educational level. Neurological status, motor function, sleep quality, and activity levels were measured. The groups were compared using Student t-tests and the association between the measures was assessed using Pearson's correlation.
Results:
Compared to people without stroke, those with stroke had worse sleep quality (p = 0.044), twice lower 24h-activity levels (p < 0.0001), higher interdaily stability and intradaily variability, lower activity during the most active 10 h and during the least active 5 h. Sleep quality was associated with activity level (r= -0.72) and with within-day activity variability (r= 0.53).
Conclusions:
Activity level and fragmentation are associated with sleep-wake patterns and sleep quality in patients with stroke.
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