The relationship between energy expenditure and physical functions in patients hospitalised for stroke

We assessed the relationship between energy expenditure (EE) and Functional Independence Measure motor items (FIM-M) score, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score, and comfortable walking speed (CWS) in patients hospitalised for stroke. The total EE per day (TEE), EE during rehabilitation (REE), and EE during activities other than rehabilitation (OEE) were measured using a single-axis acceleration sensor in 36 patients hospitalised for the first stroke episode. In addition, the relationships between each type of EE and FIM-M, BBS, and CWS were investigated. In these patients (mean age 66.2 ± 10.6 years), the median values of TEE, REE, and OEE were 41.8 kcal, 18.5 kcal, and 16.6 kcal, respectively. Correlations were observed between each EE type and all physical function indices. Following the stratification of patients into two groups (high and low) based on the level of physical function, a significant correlation between EE type and physical function was observed only in the low BBS group. EE was correlated with overall physical function indices, but the trend differed depending on physical ability. When patients were stratified based on ability, there were several groups with no significant correlation. Therefore, several patients were unable to achieve an appropriate EE for their level of physical function.