Burcu Ersöz Hüseyinsinoğlu1, Gökşen Kuran Aslan1, Devrim Tarakci2, Arzu Razak Özdinçler1, Hayriye Küçükoğlu3, Sevim Baybaş3. 1. Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, İstanbul University School of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Turkey. 2. Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Medipol University School of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Turkey. 3. Department of Neurology, Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Psychiatric Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for stroke and stroke recurrence. There is insufficient knowledge about the physical activity (PA) level in stroke patients who are ambulatory in the subacute phase. Our aim was to compare the PA level between ambulatory stroke patients and a population of the same age and to investigate neuropsychological factors that could affect the PA level in the same stroke group. METHODS: Eighty-five subacute stroke patients and 58 healthy subjects were included. Patients' demographic features, disease-related features, and comorbidities were recorded. The PA level was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Version and a pedometer (OMRON Walking style II). The Apathy Rating Scale was applied to determine the apathy level. Depression level was investigated by the Geriatric Depression Scale. The standardized Mini-mental State Examination was performed to assess the cognitive status. RESULTS: The PA level was significantly higher in the healthy group than in the stroke group (p<0.001). Step count and walking distance were significantly higher in healthy group (p=0.001 and p=0.04, respectively). The PA level of men was significantly higher than that of women (p=0.03). Participants who were classified as level 4 had a lower PA level than those who were classified as level 5 according to the Functional Ambulation Category. There was no relationship between the PA level and the apathy, cognitive, and depression levels in the stroke patients (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Subacute stroke patients have a lower PA level than healthy subjects. This is not related to neuropsychological factors. The reasons for minor deficits related to ambulation should be researched further while developing strategies for increasing the PA level of subacute stroke patients.
INTRODUCTION: Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for stroke and stroke recurrence. There is insufficient knowledge about the physical activity (PA) level in strokepatients who are ambulatory in the subacute phase. Our aim was to compare the PA level between ambulatory strokepatients and a population of the same age and to investigate neuropsychological factors that could affect the PA level in the same stroke group. METHODS: Eighty-five subacute strokepatients and 58 healthy subjects were included. Patients' demographic features, disease-related features, and comorbidities were recorded. The PA level was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Version and a pedometer (OMRON Walking style II). The Apathy Rating Scale was applied to determine the apathy level. Depression level was investigated by the Geriatric Depression Scale. The standardized Mini-mental State Examination was performed to assess the cognitive status. RESULTS: The PA level was significantly higher in the healthy group than in the stroke group (p<0.001). Step count and walking distance were significantly higher in healthy group (p=0.001 and p=0.04, respectively). The PA level of men was significantly higher than that of women (p=0.03). Participants who were classified as level 4 had a lower PA level than those who were classified as level 5 according to the Functional Ambulation Category. There was no relationship between the PA level and the apathy, cognitive, and depression levels in the strokepatients (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Subacute strokepatients have a lower PA level than healthy subjects. This is not related to neuropsychological factors. The reasons for minor deficits related to ambulation should be researched further while developing strategies for increasing the PA level of subacute strokepatients.