Changes in physicalactivity and related functional and disability levels in the first six months after stroke: A longitudinal follow-up study

Abstract

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 i..