This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 40/3/864    most recent STROKEAHA.108.531590v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Manns, P. J. Articles by Baldwin, E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Manns, P. J. Articles by Baldwin, E. Related Collections Exercise/exercise testing/rehabilitation

(Stroke. 2009;40:864.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Ambulatory Activity of Stroke Survivors

Measurement Options for Dose, Intensity, and Variability of Activity

From the Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Correspondence to Patricia Manns, 2-50 Corbett Hall, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta,  Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G4. E-mail trish.manns{at}ualberta.ca

Background and Purpose— Walking activity is an important part of exercise prescription for stroke survivors. The purpose of this study was to: (1) compare ambulatory activity parameters in subacute stroke survivors over three time periods; and (2) discuss options for measurement of ambulatory activity data with respect to absolute activity, intensity of activity, and variability and pattern of activity.

Methods— Ten subacute stroke survivors participated (mean±SD; age: 66±15 years; time from stroke to discharge: 75±31 days). Data collection was completed across three time periods, predischarge, 2 weeks postdischarge, and 6 weeks postdischarge. The Step Activity Monitor (Cyma Corporation) was used to measure daily activity parameters. Parameters representing dose, intensity, and variability/pattern of activity were determined using MatLab.

Results— Minutes of activity and length of activity bouts significantly increased from predischarge to 6 weeks postdischarge (P=0.030).

Conclusions— The measurement of a variety of ambulatory activity parameters may aid clinicians and stroke survivors to determine whether exercise recommendations are being met with daily activity.

Key Words: stroke • ambulatory activity • activity recommendations