Activity intolerance in the geriatric stroke patient.

This study used a descriptive correlational design to examine the frequency of and relationships between subjective and objective defining characteristics of activity intolerance in 33 geriatric stroke patients during ambulation. In the study, subjects were asked to walk for no more than 50 yards. Measurement of blood pressure, apical pulse, and respirations were done before ambulation, immediately after ambulation, and 3 minutes postambulation. Subjective and observable objective defining characteristics also were recorded at the same three time periods. Dyspnea, weakness, and changes in blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and respiratory rate and pattern occurred with the greatest frequency. Using chi-square analysis, significant associations were found between subjective and objective defining characteristics of activity intolerance. This study validates that the geriatric stroke patient is at risk for experiencing activity intolerance. The results of this study show that the defining characteristics of activity intolerance would be useful in patient teaching and for developing low-risk rehabilitation exercise programs for stroke patients.