Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of using accelerometers to monitor
physical activity in persons with stroke admitted to inpatient rehabilitation.
DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study. PARTICIPANTS:
Persons with stroke
admitted to a specialized rehabilitation centre for sub-acute rehabilitation were
recruited between August and December 2016. METHODS: Volume and intensity of
physical activity were assessed with accelerometers throughout the rehabilitation
period. Indicators of feasibility included processes (recruitment, protocol
adherence and participants' experiences) and scientific feasibility, which
assessed the accelerometers' ability to detect change in physical activity among
stroke survivors who ambulate independently and those who are dependent on a
mobility device. RESULTS: Twenty-seven out of 31 eligible individuals took part
in this study, with 23 (85%) completing it. In total, 432 days of rehabilitation
were monitored and valid physical activity data were obtained for 408 days (94%).
There were no indications that the measurement interfered with participants'
ability to participate in rehabilitation. Despite the subjects' ambulation
status, the number of steps and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical
activity increased significantly across the first 18 days of rehabilitation,
whereas sedentary time was unchanged. CONCLUSION: This study supports the
feasibility of using accelerometers to capture physical activity behaviour in
survivors of stroke during inpatient rehabilitation.

Langue : ANGLAIS