Types of physical activity performed pre and post stroke

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Physical Therapy
• Stroke Recovery

Background:

• The impact of stroke on physical activity levels and the relationship between self-perceived and actual activity remain under-researched.
• Understanding physical activity changes post-stroke is crucial for effective rehabilitation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess changes in self-reported physical activity from before stroke to two years after stroke.
• To investigate the correlation between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity in stroke survivors.

Main Methods:

• An observational study included stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation.
• Physical activity was assessed using self-report and accelerometry (Sensewear Armband) at discharge and two years post-stroke.
• Statistical analyses included Spearman correlations and multiple regression models.

Main Results:

• Fifty of 68 baseline participants reported pre-stroke physical activity, with 48 maintaining activity two years later.
• At two years, one-third of active participants continued the same activity, one-third increased it, and one-third modified it.
• Self-reported physical activity strongly correlated with objective measures (r=0.61, p<0.001), with objective measures, age, and sex predicting 26.5% of self-reported variance (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Stroke survivors frequently return to their pre-stroke physical activity types.
• A significant positive correlation exists between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity.
• Self-reported physical activity tends to overestimate actual activity levels in stroke survivors post-stroke.