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Accelerometer and global positioning system measurement of recovery of community ambulation across the first 6 months after stroke : An exploratory prospective study
Mahendran, Niruthikha Kuys, Suzanne S. Brauer, Sandra G.
Mahendran, Niruthikha
Kuys, Suzanne S.
Brauer, Sandra G.
Abstract
Objective
To characterize community ambulation and determine if it changes across the first 6 months after discharge from hospital after stroke.
Design
Prospective, observational study.
Setting
Community setting.
Participants
Subacute stroke survivors with no cognitive impairment or conditions limiting mobility prior to stroke (N=34).
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
Community ambulation was measured by an accelerometer, Global Positioning System, and activity diary. Measures included the following: volume (step count; time spent in the community, lying/sitting, standing, and walking), frequency (number of community trips; number of and time in short-, medium-, long-duration bouts), intensity (number of and time at low-, moderate-, high-intensity bouts), and trip type at 1, 3, and 6 months after hospital discharge.
Results
At 1 month participants took on average 1 trip per day in the community, lasting 137±113 minutes. Overall, most community ambulation was spread across long-duration bouts (>300 steps) lasting 11.3 to 14.1min/d and moderate-intensity bouts (30–80 steps per minute). There was no change in community ambulation trip type (P<.302) or ambulation characteristics over time except for a greater number of and time spent in long ambulation bouts at 6 months only (P<.027).
Conclusions
Total volume and intensity of community ambulation did not change over the first 6 months postdischarge after stroke. However, at 6 months, survivors spent more time in long-duration ambulation bouts. Review of stroke survivors at 6 months after hospital discharge is suggested because this is when changes in community ambulation may first be observed.
Keywords
accelerometry, community integration, rehabilitation, stroke, walking
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Book
Volume
97
Issue
9
Page Range
1465-1472
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as green open access
License
File Access
Controlled
Open
Open